US authorities are negotiating with a man who has taken people hostage at a synagogue near Fort Worth, Texas. All residents in the immediate vicinity have been evacuated. There are no injuries at this time, according to police. The rabbi and three other people are being held. The hostage-taker, meanwhile, released one hostage.
The hostage-taking started during a service, which was streamed live for a while on the synagogue’s Facebook page. Viewers overheard apparent negotiations between the alleged hostage-taker and the police. The newspaper Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that during the live stream, an angry man could sometimes be heard ranting and talking about religion. It was impossible to see what was happening in the synagogue.
Just before 2 p.m. (local time), the man said, “You have to do something. I don’t want to see this man dead.” Moments later, the connection dropped. Police spokesman Dara Nelson said FBI negotiators are in contact with the person in the building. “There is no threat to the general public at this time,” he added. Police are asking people to avoid the area.
The hostage-taker held four people hostage, but released one man around 6 p.m. local time. He wasn’t injured. Meanwhile, negotiations with the hostage taker continue.
The man repeatedly mentioned his sister and Islam and used profanity. He also said several that he thought he was going to die, reported the Star-Telegram. It is not clear whether he was armed. A police source told CNN there were at least four people in the building.
According to American media, the hostage-taker wants to achieve the release of his “sister” Aafia, who is nicknamed Lady Qaeda. According to them, the perpetrator says that he is her brother Muhammad Siddiqui. He would be armed.
Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison by a US judge in 2010 for attempting to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan. Her nickname refers to the terrorist organization Al Qaeda.
Colleyville Police
@ColleyvillePD
Meanwhile, New York City and Los Angeles police have deployed additional officers to guard synagogues as a precaution.
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