Uncut video shows three of the four adult hostages escaping Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, where they were held hostage for nearly 12 hours.
The video, taken by WFAA photographer Josh Stephen, shows the three hostages being pushed out of the synagogue followed by a man holding a gun who runs back inside. The FBI has now identified the man as hostage-taker Malik Faisal Akram.
Moments after the hostages were released, FBI agents entered the building, ending the standoff between law enforcement and Akram.
The FBI confirmed Sunday that Akram, a British citizen, died inside the synagogue.
During a press conference Saturday, investigators said Akram was “singularly focused on one issue” that was “not specifically related to the Jewish community.” Late Sunday, however, the FBI said in a statement, “This is a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.”
UK POLICE ARREST TWO TEENAGERS IN RELATION TO TEXAS SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE-TAKING
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted on Twitter that Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called him Sunday to thank law enforcement for their efforts in concluding the standoff with all hostages safe.
Israel Prime Minister Bennett called today to thank law enforcement in Texas & the U.S. for concluding the synagogue standoff with all hostages safe.
He also thanked Texas for passing laws against BDS & anti-Semitism & for the strong economic partnership Texas has with Israel.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 16, 2022
Abbott announced that the rescue effort involved roughly 60-70 officials from Washington, D.C.
Two teenagers were arrested in England on Monday “as part of the ongoing investigation into the [Texas synagogue] attack,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement to the BBC. They were being held in custody for questioning.
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Akram claimed to be the brother of Aafia Siddiqui, a woman who was convicted of attempted murder after firing at U.S. soldiers, and was demanding her release in exchange for that of the hostages. Siddiqui’s actual brother denied holding anyone hostage, according to statements from his lawyers.
