[BREAKING] SWAT Teams Respond to Hostage Situation at Ft Worth Synagogue
Authorities in Texas are “conducting SWAT operations“ at a synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth where a man has taken a rabbi and others people hostage. Police in the town of Colleyville arrived at Congregation Beth Israel at about 12:30 p.m. local time.
Negotiators have been in contact with someone inside the synagogue who is a possible suspect, Colleyville Police Sgt. Dara Nelson told the Dallas Morning News. “Negotiators have contact with this person and are working to come to a safe resolution,” Nelson said, adding that authorities have not been able to enter the building yet. The FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety are also involved in the police response, Nelson said.
It’s unclear how many people were inside the building at the time of the incident or whether anyone was armed. No injuries have been reported so far. Three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the situation said the man is holding a rabbi, and possibly others, hostage. The man told authorities he wants the release of Aafia Siddiqui from federal prison.
UPDATE: Synagogue Hostage Situation, #Texas
• 4 Hostages inc Rabbi
• Suspect wants release of jailed Jihadist Affia Sidiqqui (ABC,NBC)
• Dallas deploying >Police to Colleyville; FBI,Swat on scene
• Biden briefed
• Situation ongoing since 11:30 local https://t.co/pMdSameCWE— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 15, 2022
Siddiqui was convicted by a federal jury in 2010 of attempting to kill U.S. officers in Afghanistan and is currently being held at FMC Carswell, a federal prison in Fort Worth Texas. Law enforcement officials in Texas are trying to determine whether or not the person holding the Rabbi and potentially others hostage is in fact related to Siddiqui.
I am closely monitoring the unfolding hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville. I know the Rabbi and his wife Adena very well. I'm praying for his safety and his congregants, and hope that this situation is resolved soon. https://t.co/Xlk50o5kju
— Rep. Marc Veasey (@RepVeasey) January 15, 2022
On a Facebook livestream of the congregation’s Shabbat (sabbath) morning service, a man could be heard speaking, at times cursing and sounding angry. He also mentioned his sister. The video, which has been taken down, did not show images of what was going on inside the building.
“Lady Al-Qaeda”: The terrorist who the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue hostage-taker says he wants freed: https://t.co/VUZ4GmJOQh pic.twitter.com/ltr5E2KcYf
— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) January 15, 2022
Both President Joe Biden and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have been briefed about the situation, which was still ongoing late Saturday afternoon.
JUST IN: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on synagogue hostage situation: "The Texas Dept. of Public Safety is on the scene of the tense hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas. They are working with local and federal teams to achieve the best and safest outcome." https://t.co/9oCpJsNYQt pic.twitter.com/XJndBfsKaV
— ABC News (@ABC) January 15, 2022
[This is a breaking and developing story, please check back for updates]