(AmericanProsperity.com) – The small town of Colleyville, Texas, was at a standstill over the weekend when British national Malik Faisal Akram took a rabbi and three others hostage for more than 10 hours at a Texas Jewish synagogue. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the situation. British police arrested two additional suspects in connection with the standoff, which police now say was an act of terror.
Officials say Akram flew from Great Britain into John F. Kennedy Airport around two weeks ago. A source close to the investigation anonymously revealed Akram purchased a handgun through a private sale. While police don’t yet understand his motive for choosing that specific Jewish synagogue in Colleyville, they know he sought the release of a female prisoner serving time in a nearby Fort Worth prison.
Hostage-Taker Goes Live on Facebook
Immediately evacuating the surrounding area, authorities first arrived at the synagogue around 11 a.m. Akram communicated through Facebook Live streams demanding authorities release Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently imprisoned for the attempted murder of US military service members in Afghanistan.
Several people watching the live stream heard Akram refer to Siddiqui as his “sister.” The distraught man mentioned he had a bomb and ranted frantically about America. Viewers say Akram expressed visible irritation, made multiple threats, and seemed intensely distressed.
Muslim Advocacy Group Makes A Statement About Hostage-Taker
Texas’ Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) President John Floyd said Siddiqui’s brother was not involved in the standoff. He also called Akram’s actions wicked and diminished those seeking true justice for Dr. Saddiqui.
The hostage situation led law enforcement officials across the country to tighten up security around important Jewish institutions and increase police presence out of caution. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet tweeted that the hostage situation was a reminder that antisemitism is very much alive and it’s something that everyone must fight worldwide. President Biden called the situation an act of terror and stated that Akram had purchased the gun off the streets.
A video from Dallas television station WFAA shows several people frantically running out of the synagogue then shows an armed man at the same door moments before closing them. A few moments later, gunfire rang out, followed by a loud explosion as FBI agents entered the building. According to reports, FBI agents shot and killed 44-year-old Akram. All hostages survived the horrific ordeal. Law enforcement officials intend to release more information about the standoff after further investigation.
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