Man takes hostages at Texas synagogue, demands release of al-Qaeda linked prisoner
At least four people, including a rabbi, are being held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, CNN reports.
The hostage-taker has demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of attempting to kill U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan and is serving an 86-year sentence in a Texas prison.
An FBI SWAT team is on the scene.
According to FBI spokeswoman Katie Chaumont, police were called to the synagogue at around 11:00 a.m., The Associated Press reports.
Services were being livestreamed at the time, and the hostage-taker could be heard ranting about America and Islam. He also referred to himself as “the guy with the bomb” before the feed cut out.
Authorities have evacuated the surrounding area.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on Twitter that President Biden has been briefed on the situation, and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted that he is “pray[ing] for the safety of the hostages and rescuers.
At least four people, including a rabbi, are being held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, CNN reports. The hostage-taker has demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of attempting to kill U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan and is serving an 86-year sentence in a Texas prison. An FBI…
At least four people, including a rabbi, are being held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, CNN reports. The hostage-taker has demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of attempting to kill U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan and is serving an 86-year sentence in a Texas prison. An FBI…