Authorities northeast of Fort Worth, Texas, are negotiating with a man who apparently took a rabbi and several congregants at a Colleyville synagogue hostage during a ceremony Saturday.
It is not yet known how many people are in the synagogue, nor what weapons the attacker is carrying.
No injuries have been reported so far
, according to police.
The attacker, whose identity is not yet known
, has demanded that authorities release Aafia Siddiqui from prison
, a woman who was convicted in 2010 of trying to assassinate several US Army officers in Afghanistan.
A SWAT team vehicle responds to a hostage situation at a Colleyville, Texas synagogue;
on January 15, 2022. SHELBY TAUBER/REUTERS
Siddiqui is currently serving time at Carswell Federal Prison for Women in Fort Worth, Texas.
Police agencies are trying to determine if the suspect is related in any way to Siddiqui.
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The parishioners were attending a ceremony this Saturday morning that was broadcast live on Facebook, and in that recording, which has since been deleted, conversations were captured that appeared to be the attacker's negotiations with the police.
Colleyville authorities said they are conducting SWAT special tactics team operations at 6100 Pleasant Run Road, where Congregation Beth Israel is located.
All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated and people are asked to avoid traveling through the area.
In the live broadcast on Facebook, several users commented that a man was holding people hostage and others asked to pray for Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker.
More than 8,000 viewers were watching the broadcast.
In the video an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion.
The recording does not show what is happening in the building
.
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The attacker repeatedly mentioned his "Muslim sister", Islam and used profanity.
At one point, another voice can be heard apparently on the phone with the police.
The man has said that he does not want to hurt anyone and has mentioned his children
.
He also repeatedly said that he thinks he is going to die.
"Negotiators are in contact with this individual and are working toward a peaceful resolution," Colleyville Police Sgt. Dara Nelson told the Dallas Morning News.
The FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety have also responded to the attack.
The religious service began at 10:00 am on Saturday, according to the synagogue calendar.
Colleyville is located about 17 miles northeast of downtown Fort Worth.
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The White House is already "closely monitoring" the situation in Colleyville, an official told our sister network NBC News.
Israel's Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, also reported that he was keeping an eye on the situation.
"We pray for the safety of the hostages and rescuers," he wrote on Twitter.
"I pray that it ends immediately with everyone safe," wrote the US ambassador to Israel, Tony Nides.
In the United States, several organizations and prominent politicians expressed their concern about the situation and their solidarity with the Jewish community in the country.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community during this time," the American Jewish Committee wrote in a statement.
Ted Cruz, the Republican senator from Texas, said he was keeping an eye on the situation.
"Heidi and I are praying for the members of the Beth Israel congregation in Colleyville and for the SWAT team and other law enforcement officers who have responded to the scene," he stated on Twitter.
With information from the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
and the Colleyville Police Department