A hostage-taker shot dead after a stand-off at a synagogue in Texas was British. The incident happened at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville on Saturday.
A man could be heard shouting and swearing on a livestream. The man was apparently ranting in a British accent.
Police were called first to the synagogue in the morning at 11:15.
The hostage who was being held was released after the long stand-off. Three other hostages were freed at around 9pm local when an FBI Swat unit entered the building.
The FBI confirmed that the hostage-taker was killed, and they would send a team to investigate “the shooting incident”.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office claimed that the office was aware of the Texas shooting death and is in touch with the authorities.
Matt DeSarno is the FBI’s special agent in charge. He said that they have been in contact both with Israel and London’s legal attache offices.
He said to reporters, “Our investigation will be global in scope.” We have already been in touch with many FBI legats, to include Tel Aviv as well as London.
DeSarno claimed that they believe the man was “single-focused on one issue, and it wasn’t specifically related to the Jewish Community”. He also said they will continue to work to “find motive”.
He stated that all four hostages were safe and will be reunited after the incident with their families.
The man, a Pakistani-born neuroscientist, demanded that Aafia siddiqui be released. He is currently being held in Texas.
Officials stated that he had spoken to her and wanted to continue to communicate with her.
Source: The Independent
