The suspect who held hostages in Colleyville, TX synagogue on Saturday is dead. All hostages including the rabbi were safely released after he interrupted a live stream of a sabbath service Saturday The FBI is investigating the situation as a possible terror plot. It transpired at Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform synagogue in the city of Colleyville, about 30 miles northwest of Dallas. Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British national had released the hostages before the FBI hostage rescue team killed him. Akram had only been in the U.S. for 5 weeks. He was seeking the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is currently serving an 86-year prison term in the US, law enforcement officials told local media.
" I don't think there is sufficient information to know about why he targeted that synagogue, why he insisted on the release of someone who's been in prison for over 10 years, why he was engaged, why he was using an anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli comments," Biden told reporters Saturday.
The president's full statement follows:
Statement by President Biden on the Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas
Thanks to the courageous work of state, local and federal law enforcement, four Americans who were held hostage at a Texas synagogue will soon be home with their families. I am grateful to the tireless work of law enforcement at all levels who acted cooperatively and fearlessly to rescue the hostages. We are sending love and strength to the members of Congregation Beth Israel, Colleyville, and the Jewish community.
There is more we will learn in the days ahead about the motivations of the hostage taker. But let me be clear to anyone who intends to spread hate—we will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country. That is who we are, and tonight, the men and women of law enforcement made us all proud.
