‘If anyone tries to enter this building…everyone will die’: Officers chatting with officer holding hostages in Texas synagogue
- A Texas man is reportedly holding hostages in a synagogue and a SWAT team has been deployed
- As reported by ABC News, the suspect claims to be his sister Afia Siddiqui, who was convicted in New York for trying to kill US military personnel.
- An unidentified assailant takes hostages at the Beth Israel Congregation in Collyville during religious services at 11:30 a.m. CST.
- Before the livestream cut, the unidentified assailant can be heard saying, ‘I am going to die. don’t cry about me
A man claiming to be the brother of a convicted terrorist stormed a Texas synagogue on the Sabbath and held hostages and told the SWAT team, ‘If anyone tries to enter this building, I tell you I am… everyone will die.’
An unidentified assailant took hostages at the Beth Israel Congregation in Colville during religious services that were being broadcast live at around 11.30 am.
The live-stream cut short shortly before 2 p.m. local time.
Before the livestream cut, the unidentified assailant can be heard saying, ‘I am going to die. don’t cry about me
‘Are you listening? I’m going to die,’ he repeated over and over.
According to ABC News’ Aaron Katersky, the suspect claims to be his sister Afia Siddiqui, who was convicted in New York for attempting to kill US military personnel and is serving an 86-year sentence.
She has reportedly been serving time in a nearby jail since her conviction in 2010.
The man is taking the rabbi and three others hostage, Katersky said.
The man is claiming to have bombs at unknown locations, but the extent to which the attacker is armed is unknown.
A SWAT team is sent to the Beth Israel Congregation in Collieville, Texas, where one person is held hostage.
A SWAT team is set up by a nearby middle school.
The Muslim man can be heard live-streamed (pictured) saying that he was ‘to die’ again and again. It’s not even clear who he was saying this
Collieville, Texas, police are conducting a SWAT operation and asking locals to evacuate the area. State police are also assisting the scene in the form of officers set up by a nearby middle school, according to WFAA, The school is around the corner from the synagogue.
The FBI is now in talks with the man and can be seen at the scene.
“FBI negotiators are those who have had contact with the person in the building,” a Colliville spokesperson said. CNN, Police have noted that there is no current threat to the general public.
The live-stream cut short shortly before 2 p.m. local time, where the man can be heard saying: ‘I’m going to die.’
According to Star-Telegram reporter Jessica Harke, he was heard saying: ‘I’m going to die, are you listening? I’m going to die doing this right? Are you listening? I’m going to die Don’t cry about me. It is also not clear who he was saying so.
He also reportedly said about religion, saying he was ‘going to die’, as well as made vague references to arms and ammunition.
It is unknown whether any injuries or deaths occurred at this time.
Social media users have been praying for Rabbi Charlie Citron-Walker, but his location and location are unknown.
Congregation Beth Israel is a Reformed Jewish synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, with approximately 70,000 Jewish people, one of the largest communities in the state.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Colleyville Police, as well as a SWAT team and state troops are at the scene and are asking locals to evacuate.
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