Eyes of the World on Colleyville, Texas, as Hostage Crisis at Synagogue Unfolds

Update: Suspect Dead, All Hostages Released Alive and Safe

All hostages at the Texas synagogue were released “alive and safe” according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, after n over 8-hour standoff between the suspect and local law enforcement and the FBI.

The suspect has reportedly been shot dead, although law enforcement has not provided an update on the situation. The four hostages required no medical attention, according to local media reports.

Original story below:

Four hostages—including its Rabbi Charlie Cryton-Walker—remain under siege at this hour at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, a suburb of Dallas, Texas.

While the identity of the suspect has not been made public, authorities believe that the motivation behind the attack is to negotiate the release of Aaafia Siddiqui, a terrorist serving an 86-year prison sentence, beginning in 2010.

Negotiations with the hostage taker are ongoing, and a major response of Federal, State, and local law enforcement departments remains camped out in the vicinity of the synagogue on Pleasant Run Road.

The White House has released the following statement: “[The president] has been briefed about the developing hostage situation in the Dallas area. He will continue to receive updates from his senior team as the situation develops. Senior members of the national security team are also in touch with federal law enforcement leadership.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbot said: “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on synagogue hostage situation: "The Texas Dept. of Public Safety is on the scene of the tense hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas. They are working with local and federal teams to achieve the best and safest outcome."

We will update this story as it unfolds, hopefully with the safe release of the hostages very soon

Photo credit: Elias Valverde