By Yesterday, a hostage situation occurred at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. Four people were held hostage during an hours-long standoff between the suspect and authorities. One of the hostages included Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who released a statement saying he is “grateful to be alive.” Thankfully, all four hostages were released unharmed.
Today, the FBI identified the hostage-taker as 44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram, a British national.
He is said to have “died” Saturday after the hostages were freed; no cause of death has been given yet, but it’s likely he was either killed by law enforcement or died by suicide.
President Joe Biden stated that Akram had a gun during the standoff, and denied that Akram had any bombs that authorities were aware of, despite Akram’s claims during the attack that Akram was armed with bombs.
Biden called Akram’s attack an “act of terror” and suggested that the British national may have obtained a gun off the street from a homeless shelter he stayed in.
No motive has been released for the incident, but Akram was heard demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, who is imprisoned in Fort Worth, approximately 20 miles away. A lawyer for Ms. Siddiqui denies Akram has any ties to her.
Why Akram would attack a synagogue to protest the incarceration of Ms. Siddiqui is unknown, as this issue has nothing to do with the Jewish community, as President Biden pointed out.
As is usual after such horrific attacks, community leaders and organizations condemned the attacks and made statements urging solidarity.
A written statement made today by the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations called the attack “evil, unjust, and unjustifiable” and reminded the world that Muslims stand united with the American Jewish community. Muslim Girl also sends our thoughts, prayers, and solidarity to the Jewish community in the wake of this attack.