A man claiming to be the brother of the convicted terrorist known as Lady Al Qaeda stormed a Texas synagogue on the Sabbath and is holding hostages, telling a SWAT team, ‘If anyone tries to enter this building, I’m telling you…everyone will die.’
The assailant, who is believed to be Muhammad Siddiqui, took the hostages at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville during religious services around 11.30am, which were being live-streamed.
The live-stream cut off shortly before 2pm local time.
Before the livestream cut off, the unknown assailant can be heard saying, ‘I’m going to die. Don’t cry about me’
‘Are you listening? I am going to die,’ he repeated over and over.
A SWAT team has been sent to Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, where a man is reportedly holding hostages
A SWAT team has set up by a nearby middle school
The suspect claims his sister ”Lady Al Qaeda’ Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted in New York for trying to kill US military personnel and is serving an 86-year sentence, according to Aaron Katersky of ABC News.
Aafia Siddiqui, who was a biology major at MIT, said in 1993 that she wanted to do ‘something to help our Muslim brothers and sisters’ even if it meant breaking the law. She moved to Texas to be near her brother, who is an architect.
She has been reportedly serving time in a nearby prison since her conviction in 2010.
The man is holding the rabbi and three other people hostage, Katersky said.
The man is claiming to have bombs in unknown locations, but what extent the assailant is armed, is unknown.
The Muslim man can be heard saying the live-stream (pictured) that he was ‘going to die’ repeatedly. It is unclear who he was saying this too
Colleyville, Texas, police are conducting SWAT operations and locals are being told to evacuate the area. State police are also assisting the scene as authorities set up by a nearby middle school, according to WFAA. The school is around the corner from the synagogue.
The FBI is now negotiating with the man and the FBI be can seen on site.
‘The FBI negotiators are the ones who have contact with the person in the building,’ a Colleyville spokesperson told CNN. Police have noted that there is no current threat to the general public.
The live-stream cut off shortly before 2pm local time, where the man can be heard saying: ‘I’m going to die.’
According to Star-Telegram reporter Jessika Harkay, he was overheard saying: ‘I’m going to die, are you listening? I’m going to die doing this alright? Are you listening? I’m going to die. Don’t cry about me.’ It is unclear who he was saying this too.
The man is demanding the release of his sister ‘Lady Al Qaeda’ Aafia Siddiqui (pictured), who is serving an 86-year sentence for trying to kill US military personnel
He reportedly also ranted about religion in between saying that he’s ‘going to die,’ as well as made vague references to weapons and ammunition.
It is unknown if there are any injuries or fatalities at this moment.
Social media users have been offering prayers for Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, but his condition and location is unknown.
Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform Jewish synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, which has about 70,000 Jewish people, one of the largest communities in the state.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Colleyville Police, as well as a SWAT team and state troopers, are on the scene and are telling locals to evacuate
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