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A man claiming to be the brother of a convicted terrorist has taken hostages at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas and has made threats to kill them all.
A man, claiming to be the brother of a convicted terrorist is reportedly holding three worshippers and a rabbi hostage at the building, The Daily Mail reported.
He claimed to be the brother of Aafia Siddiqui, known as “Lady Al Qaeda” who is serving an 86-year prison sentence 24 miles from the synagogue.
The assault on the synagogue was caught on a live stream of the services where the man said “’I’m going to die. Don’t cry about me.
“Are you listening? I am going to die,” he said again and again before the live stream cut off.
The suspect claims his sister ”Lady Al Qaeda’ Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted in New York for trying to kill US military personnel and is serving an 86-year sentence, according to Aaron Katersky of ABC News.
Aafia Siddiqui, who was a biology major at MIT, said in 1993 that she wanted to do ‘something to help our Muslim brothers and sisters’ even if it meant breaking the law. She moved to Texas to be near her brother, who is an architect.
She has been reportedly serving time at FMC Carswell, which is 24 miles from the synagogue, since her conviction in 2010.
The man is holding Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three other people hostage, Katersky said.
The man is claiming to have bombs in unknown locations, but to what extent the assailant is armed, is unknown.
“’I’m going to die, are you listening? I’m going to die doing this alright? Are you listening? I’m going to die. Don’t cry about me,” the man was heard saying though it is unknown who he was talking to.
“What the f**k is wrong with America?!” he said during another part of the live stream.
NEW CLIP "What the fuck is wrong with America?!" shouts man who is holding hostages at Colleyville, Texas synagogue
(via https://t.co/viQgEZzdiQ) pic.twitter.com/CTQAUkWhkm
— crabcrawler (@crabcrawler1) January 15, 2022
“We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd. All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area,” the Colleyville Police said on Twitter on Saturday.
“UPDATE 1/15/22, 1:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing. We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media,” it said.
“UPDATE 1/15/22, 2:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing. We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media,” it said.
We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd. All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area.
— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) January 15, 2022
“CAIR has hosted many rallies to free Aafia Siddiqui aka Lady Al-Qaeda, whose supposed brother is holding a synagogue hostage in Colleyville, TX,” Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross said.
CAIR has hosted many rallies to free Aafia Siddiqui aka Lady Al-Qaeda, whose supposed brother is holding a synagogue hostage in Colleyville, TX pic.twitter.com/KGWyW4D3oN
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) January 15, 2022
“Sending strength to Colleyville as another Texas community is tragically targeted by a gunman. If you’re in the area, please heed the warnings of local officials and avoid the vicinity around the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue,” Democrat Texas candidate for governor Robert “Beto” O’Rourke said.
Sending strength to Colleyville as another Texas community is tragically targeted by a gunman.
If you’re in the area, please heed the warnings of local officials and avoid the vicinity around the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.
You can find updates in this thread. https://t.co/oWKGBeAcGf
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) January 15, 2022
“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. My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with local and national authorities,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on Twitter.
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.
My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with local and national authorities.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 15, 2022
“I am closely monitoring the hostage situation taking place in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. We pray for the safety of the hostages and rescuers.,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said.
I am closely monitoring the hostage situation taking place in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.
We pray for the safety of the hostages and rescuers.
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) January 15, 2022
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
“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,” Democrat Texas Rep, Marc Veasey said.
This story is developing.
