An armed suspect holding a rabbi and several congregants hostage at a synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area Saturday reportedly claims to be the brother of a convicted terrorist. According to ABC News, he is demanding that she be freed from prison, where she is doing an 86-year stint.
“An armed suspect claiming to have bombs in unknown locations took a rabbi and three others hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel, a source familiar with the situation told ABC News,” the outlet reports. “It is unclear to what extent the hostage-taker is armed.”
“A U.S. official briefed on the matter told ABC News the hostage-taker is claiming to be the brother of convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqui, but authorities have not yet confirmed his identity,” the report continues. “The suspect is demanding to have the sister freed, the official said.”
“Siddiqui is incarcerated at Carswell Air Force Base near Fort Worth,” ABC News reports. “She had alleged ties to al-Qaida and was convicted of assault and attempted murder of a U.S. soldier in 2010 and sentenced to 86 years in prison.”
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Hostage negotiators are on the scene. Police in Colleyville dispatched a SWAT team to the area surrounding the temple. The authorities warned residents to stay away from the immediate area where Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three of his congregants are being held hostage, according to the New York Post.
We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd. All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area.
— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) January 15, 2022
The suspect reportedly told the SWAT team, “If anyone tries to enter this building, I’m telling you…everyone will die.”
Before the live stream cut off, he could be heard saying, “I’m going to die. Don’t cry about me.”
“Are you listening? I am going to die,” he repeated over and over.
This is incredibly sad.
Please pray for my synagogue. My rabbi is being held at gunpoint on live stream rn
— el 🐮 (@ellnsmith) January 15, 2022
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery