U.S. officials announced Sunday that all hostages had been released from a Blackville, Texas synagogue after a 12-hour hiatus, and that the ...
U.S. officials announced Sunday that all hostages had been released from a Blackville, Texas synagogue after a 12-hour hiatus, and that the hostage-taker had been killed.
The Dallas office of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation said "all four hostages were unharmed, and hostage-taking is not part of any ongoing threat." One of the hostages was a rabbi.
"Prayers answered. All hostages are alive and well," Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted about 20 minutes after hearing a loud explosion and gunfire in the direction of the synagogue.
The FBI says its negotiators were in constant contact with the hostage-taker prior to the deliberate violation of the synagogue.
Shortly after the announcement, media in nearby cities of Fort Worth and Dallas reported that the hostage-taker, who had previously identified himself as Muhammad Siddiqui, had died.
The man who raided the place of worship on Saturday also claimed to be Aafia Siddiqui's brother and demanded her release.
Read more: Dr Aafia Siddiqui 'slightly injured' in fellow prisoner's attack in US jail: FO
Siddiqui, a Pakistani-American neuroscientist, was sentenced by a New York court in 2010 to 86 years in prison for plotting to assassinate US officials in Afghanistan.
Dr Aafia has nothing to with the incident: attorney
However, the lawyer representing Dr Siddiqui said he had "absolutely nothing to do" with the hostage-taking and that the culprit was not Siddiqui's brother.
"She does not want any violence against anyone, especially in her name," Marwa Elbeli told CNN by phone. "Obviously, he has nothing to do with Dr Siddiqui or his family."
"Whoever the attacker is, we want him to know that his actions have been condemned by Dr. Siddiqui and his family," Albeli said. "We urge you to release the hostages immediately and bring yourself back."
The resolution came more than 12 hours after the suspect entered the House of Israel while the synagogue was live-streaming its Sabbath morning service on Facebook.
Livestream appeared to receive it before removing part of the incident. Law enforcement officials told CNN they reviewed the case and used it to gather information about the incident and those involved.
Two law enforcement officials told CNN that investigators believe the suspect may have been influenced by Dr Siddiqui's desire to be released.
At the suspect's request, the church's rabbi summoned a prominent rabbi to New York City. Authorities say the alleged attacker, who had nothing to do with the rabbi, told the pastor that Dr. Siddiqui had been trapped and that he wanted to release him.
In a separate state, a US-based Muslim advocacy group called CAIR, and Free Dr Aafia Movement condemned the hostage-taking, saying her brother had nothing to do with the incident.
John Floyd, head of the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and legal adviser to Dr. Siddiqui's brother, said: "This anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue is unacceptable. We stand together in solidarity. "
He also said that he wanted to "make it clear that the hostage-taker is not Dr Aafia Siddiqui's brother, who is not even in the area where the horrific incident took place." The family strongly condemns this act and does not stand with the culprit.
He said that Dr Siddiqui's family has always advocated for his sister's release through legal and non-violent means.
Before the media reported the suspect's death, CAIR and Dr. Siddiqui's family legal adviser urged him to "release the hostages immediately and return yourself."
Biden condemns 'rise of extremism'
President Joe Biden pledged to “stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country.” “I am grateful to the tireless work of law enforcement at all levels who acted cooperatively and fearlessly to rescue the hostages,” he said.
“We are sending love and strength to the members of Congregation Beth Israel, Colleyville, and the Jewish community.”
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, said he was “grateful” all the hostages had been released safely.
“No one should ever be afraid to assemble in their place of worship,” the Jewish Community Relations Council said in a statement.
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