A law enforcement officer patrols a main street that leads to the congregation Beth Israel Synagogue where a man was held hostage for hours
Highlight
- The hostage-taker has been identified as Akram, who was demanding the release of a Pakistani scientist.
- Pakistani scientist was convicted of trying to kill US military officers
- SIRT will conduct a thorough, factual and objective investigation of the incidents
Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British national who took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue in what US President Joe Biden called an “act of terror”, was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified Akram, seeking the release of Pakistani scientist Afiya Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers in custody in Afghanistan.
“Special Agent Matthew De’Samo, in charge of the FBI Dallas Field Office, confirmed today that a British national, 44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram, is taking Collyville, Texas as hostage,” an FBI release said.
A man held at least four people hostage for more than ten hours at a synagogue in the city of Colleyville on Saturday.
According to the release, the FBI’s Evidence Response Team (ERT) will continue to process evidence at the synagogue.
An FBI Shooting Incident Review Team (SIRT) will conduct a thorough, factual and objective investigation of the incidents.
In addition, police in England said they had arrested two teenagers in their investigation. Greater Manchester Police did not name the suspects or face charges. He described them as juveniles who were in custody for questioning.
Texas Synagogue Hostage Situation: What Biden Said
Meanwhile, Biden called the synagogue hostage in the Texan town of Collieville an “act of terror.”
“It was an act of terror, and not only did he (44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akram) belong to someone who was arrested, I might add 15 years ago and was in prison for 10 years,” Biden said. he said. , he said he had spoken to Attorney General Merrick Garland about the hostage crisis.
“With regards to Texas and the synagogue, I spoke with the Attorney General this morning, and we got a detailed briefing. He said there was a huge collaboration with local officials and the FBI, and they did one hell of a job,” the US President said. said.
Biden commended the FBI and local officials and reiterated that the US has the capability to deal with such attacks.
“And he did a great job. I also told him that I wanted to make sure we knew that synagogues and other places of worship are not going to tolerate this. We have the ability to deal with attack especially . . ” Biden said.
“The attorney general is focused that we deal with these kinds of acts. And thank goodness we had such professional FBI as well as local cooperation,” Biden said.
He also said that he would speak to the rabbi who was taken hostage.
(with inputs from agencies)
,