DEVELOPING STORY: A man who was reportedly ranting about Islam has taken an unknown number of people hostage inside a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.
The Colleyville Police Department tweeted Saturday afternoon that it was conducting SWAT operations at the address of Congregation Beth Israel.
The services were being live streamed on the synagogue’s Facebook page for a time, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that apparent negotiations could be heard between the alleged hostage taker and police. The paper reported that an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion at times during the livestream, which didn’t show what was happening inside the synagogue.
Shortly before 2 p.m., the man said, “You got to do something. I don’t want to see this guy dead.”
Moments later, the feed cut out.
“The man repeatedly mentioned his sister and Islam and used profanities, and he repeatedly said he thought he was going to die, the Star-Telegram reported. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was armed,” the Associated Press reported.
An ABC News reporter says the gunman is the brother of a known terrorist currently being held at Carswell Air Force Base. He is demanding that his sister be freed.
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Heidi and I are praying for those at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville and for the SWAT team and all other law enforcement on the scene responding.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 15, 2022
My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with local and national authorities.
Hostage-taker at Texas synagogue, heard on livestream: “If anyone tries to enter this building, I’m telling you… everyone will die”
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 15, 2022
The gunman says he is muslim and holding atleast 6 people says “he will kill people if anyone gets close to the synagogue” https://t.co/4yBnQhQd34 pic.twitter.com/l3liPypch2
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) January 15, 2022
Apparently the suspect who is holding the rabbi (pictured) and three others hostage at a synagogue in Colleyville, TX is the brother of Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted in New York of trying to kill US military personnel. pic.twitter.com/3goyNZiwz6
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר (@emilykschrader) January 15, 2022
Urgent prayer request: A gunman has taken worshipers hostage at Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, TX. Please join us immediately in praying for the safe release of all those in peril at this moment and for the law enforcement officers attempting to diffuse this situation. pic.twitter.com/U6UMwZlnH1
— Christians United for Israel (@CUFI) January 15, 2022