Assailant’s actions and negotiations with police were partly livestreamed on Facebook
An unidentified gunman has taken hostages at the Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday. SWAT officers have been deployed to the evacuated area.
The Colleyville Police confirmed reports on Saturday that the area surrounding the synagogue was being evacuated, and SWAT officers were being deployed to deal with a hostage situation.
Audio of the assailant speaking to police could be heard on a Facebook livestream, though the feed was cut off soon after police arrived. The audio is not clear, but local media reported the man saying he supposedly does not want to hurt anyone, while reportedly mentioning his sister and Islam.
At another point, however, the suspect did threaten that all the hostages would die if anyone entered the building. “I’m going to die. Don’t cry for me,” he could be heard saying, shortly before the livestream was cut.
UPDATE 1/15/22, 2:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing. We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media.
— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) January 15, 2022
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
According to one Twitter thread from reporter Arieh Kovler, the suspect asked to speak to his sister during the livestream, referred to his “six beautiful children” and alleged that he was homeless. He was said to be negotiating with police when the feed ended.
Colleyville Police Sgt. Dara Nelson told Dallas News, that negotiators have made contact with a suspect and are in negotiations to bring the situation to a “safe resolution.” The identity of the gunman is not known, nor the number of people inside or their potential injuries. According to the synagogue’s calendar, their Shabbat service began at 10am on Saturday.
At the scene in Colleyville where a local synagogue is being held hostage. The Congregation Beth Israel, located at 6100 Pleasant Run Rd., was in the middle of a service when a gunman entered. A livestream of the service remains ongoing during the situation. pic.twitter.com/dC5d6HKTLQ
— Jessika Harkay (@JessikaHarkay) January 15, 2022
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The FBI and state Department of Public Safety are also involved in the police response, according to Nelson.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
https://ift.tt/2i4b67e 16, 2022 at 01:45AM
from RT – Daily news