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TERRORIST NAMED
Colleyville synagogue gunman named as Malik Faisal Akram by FBI after the Brit is shot dead and four hostages released
THE man who took four hostages captive at a Texas synagogue has been identified by the FBI as British citizen Malik Faisal Akram.
The suspect - who was shot dead as police stormed the building - kept members of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville captive for almost 12 hours.
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During the siege, the British national demanded to speak to convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqui.
Akram is from the town of Blackburn in Lancashire, England, and arrived into the US about two weeks ago, flying into JFK International Airport in New York, , citing law enforcement officials.
It remains unclear if Akram was on any sort of watch list, the outlet reported.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it is "aware of the death of a British man in Texas and are in contact with the local authorities."
At this time, FBI officials believe that Akram, 44, acted alone, according to Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno of the FBI Dallas Field Office.
from the Counter Terrorism Policing North West of the Greater Manchester Police was posted to Twitter about the incident.
“As part of the ongoing investigation into the attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas on 15 January 2022, Officers from Counter Terror Policing North West have made two arrests in relation to the incident.
“Two teenagers were detained in South Manchester this evening. They remain in custody for questioning.
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CTP North West and CTP International operations continues to assist the investigation being led by the US authorities, and police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance."
One of the hostages, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, said that the suspect became "increasingly belligerent and threatening" towards the end of the more than 10-hour standoff.
Read our Texas synagogue hostage situation live blog for the latest news and updates...
The FBI's Evidence Response Team (ERT) is still processing evidence in the investigation at the synagogue.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that authorities in the Lancashire area are assisting with the investigation.
"I can also confirm that Counter Terror Policing North West is assisting with the investigation being led by the US authorities," Assistant Chief Constable Dominic Scally, for Counter Terror Policing North West, said.
During the hostage situation, Akram claimed to have bombs in a backpack, but investigators said they have not yet found any explosive material at the scene.
Late on Saturday night, Texas Governor Greg Abbott that all four people who had been held hostage were taken out of the synagogue "alive and safe."
The FBI confirmed that the suspect was killed after loud bangs and gunfire were heard inside the building.
The incident was extraordinarily captured on the synagogue's livestream, with the captor demanding the release of Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill US army officers in Afghanistan.
FAMILY STATEMENT
Akram's brother, Gulbar, confirmed the gunman's death and condemned the hostage situation in a statement, .
"It is with great great sadness I will confirm my brother Faisal passed away in Texas, USA this morning," the statement says.
“We are absolutely devastated as a family. We can’t say much now as [there] is an ongoing FBI investigation.
“We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident."
The statement goes on to say that the suspect "was suffering from mental health issues," but the family was certain he would not harm the hostages.
The family went on to condemn any act of violence based on religion.
"We would also like to add that any attack on any human being be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim is wrong and should always be condemned."
The statement ended with the family requesting privacy and to stop being "bombarded with non-stop calls" as they mourn their loss.
WHAT SPARKED THE HOSTAGE SITUATION?
In a press conference on Saturday night, the FBI said that the suspect seemed to be "singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community."
Authorities are still trying to establish the significance of his cries regarding Siddiqui.
Aafia Siddiqui, also known as "Lady Al Qaeda," is serving an 86-year sentence at a federal prison near Fort Worth.
She's a Pakistani neuroscientist who was one of America's most wanted terrorists after the September 11 attacks.
She was convicted in 2010 of trying to kill American service members in Afghanistan.
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However, a lawyer for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, representing her brother Muhammad, condemned Akram's attack on the synagogue and said the family was working "for the release of their sister from incarceration by legal and non-violent means only."
As the situation unfolded Saturday, each hostage was released safely after being held at the synagogue for several hours.
One of the hostages shortly after 5pm, before the other three were saved by the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team.
'EXTREME DISTRESS'
The early stages of the siege were livestreamed on the synagogue's Facebook page, which was broadcasting the day's service when the gunman stormed in.
In the footage, a man's voice was heard talking and occasionally saying "do something" and "I haven't spoken to her," and at times yelling profanities.
He was also allegedly heard saying, "I am going to die. Do not cry for me," local outlet KTVT.
The man also made mention of having "six beautiful kids."
Texas resident Victoria Francis told The Associated Press that she watched about an hour of the livestream before it cut out, listening to the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb.
“He was just all over the map. He was pretty irritated and the more irritated he got, he’d make more threats, like ‘I’m the guy with the bomb. If you make a mistake, this is all on you.’ And he’d laugh at that.
“He was clearly in extreme distress.”
No one was seen on camera through the livestream; only voices were heard. A Meta company spokesperson later confirmed that Facebook removed the video.
The synagogue's morning service began around 10am, according to their calendar, which is around the time cops said they received calls about the situation.
BELOVED RABBI
Many have taken to Twitter offering thoughts and prayers to Rabbi Cytron-Walker, who was among the hostages taken on Saturday.
The rabbi said in a he was "grateful to be alive" after the ordeal.
He said: "I am thankful and filled with appreciation for
All of the vigils and prayers and love and support,
All of the law enforcement and first responders who cared for us,
All of the security training that helped save us."
According to the synagogue's website, Cytron-Walker is their first full-time rabbi since 2006.
The hostage-taker also called Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi at Central Synagogue in New York City to relay his demands and wanted her to use her influence to secure the release of Siddiqui.
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She confirmed her involvement to the , and said she spoke twice to the suspect.
“I can confirm that the gunman reached out to me twice yesterday by phone,” Buchdahl wrote in an email. “We are about to share a note with the congregation just confirming that. Other than that for security reasons I cannot share more.”
It is not clear why Akram called Buchdahl.
The rabbi had called the NYPD, who said they were aware of the situation.
As a precaution, the NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau to the synagogue where the rabbi works and other synagogues across the city.
Dallas and Los Angeles are also among the cities that stepped up police presence at synagogues as the situation in Colleyville unfolded on Saturday.
Police were stationed around the synagogue and the FBI worked to negotiate with the suspect and deescalate the situation for around 12 hours.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENTS
President Joe Biden praised law enforcement and sent "love and strength" to the Jewish community.
“There is more we will learn in the days ahead about the motivations of the hostage-taker. But let me be clear to anyone who intends to spread hate — we will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country,” Mr Biden said in a written statement. “That is who we are, and tonight, the men and women of law enforcement made us all proud.”
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Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement Sunday: "This morning, we are grateful that four people held hostage in a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas are safe and going home to their families. We thank the brave men and women in federal, state, and local law enforcement, and we stand in solidarity with the Congregation Beth Israel community and the entire Jewish community."
She added: "While we will learn more about the hostage taker’s motivation, we know this: what happened yesterday at Congregation Beth Israel is a reminder that we must speak up and combat antisemitism and hate wherever it exists. Everyone has a right to pray, work, study, and spend time with loved ones not as the other – but as us."
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