A lone gunman, who reportedly yelled “All Jews must die,” walked into the synagogue in Texas and left six people dead. Police killed him after a three-hour standoff with no end in sight.
The “dallas hostage situation live” is a breaking news story from the day before. The suspect in this case was killed by law enforcement and all hostages are out alive and safe at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville.
(CBSDFW.COM) – COLLEYVILLE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – On Saturday, January 15, a hostage crisis at a Colleyville synagogue concluded after almost 11 hours when law enforcement successfully liberated all four hostages.
To rescue the hostages, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies collaborated.
READ MORE: North Texas Police Departments Step Up Security at Synagogues and Other Jewish Locations
Authorities say a man took hostages during services at a Texas synagogue on Saturday, with the suspect seen raving violently on a livestream before the connection went off.
SWAT trucks arrive on the site of a hostage crisis in Colleyville. (Credit: CBSDFW.com/JD Miles)
Charlie Cytron-Walker, the Congregation’s rabbi, was one of four hostages held inside the synagogue.
Colleyville Police stated one of the captives was freed unhurt that evening. He required no medical treatment and will be reunited with his family as soon as possible.
When the situation began to unfold, a Facebook live video from Congregation Beth Israel was on. According to the Congregation’s website, Shabbat services were being webcast at the time.
SWAT trucks arrive on the site of a hostage crisis in Colleyville. (Credit: CBSDFW.com/JD Miles)
Authorities are still attempting to figure out why the incident happened. According to one of the law enforcement authorities, the hostage-taker was heard requesting the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist accused of having connections to al-Qaeda who was convicted of attempting to assassinate US military soldiers while in jail in Afghanistan. According to the authorities, he also said that he wanted to communicate with her. FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, is holding Siddiqui.
Rabbi Cytron-Walker supposedly phoned a New York City rabbi while being held hostage, according to the NYPD. According to them, the two rabbis discussed Siddiqui’s situation.
Investigators have not definitively identified the guy, according to law enforcement authorities, who also stressed that the information was based on a preliminary inquiry since the situation was still unfolding swiftly. The alleged hostage-taker allegedly informed law enforcement authorities that he had planted multiple explosives in unidentified locations nearby.
On the webcast, the hostage-taker referred to Siddiqui as his “sister,” but Faizan Syed, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Dallas, informed The Associated Press that Siddiqui’s brother, Mohammad Siddiqui, was not involved. CAIR offered its support and prayers to those being detained in the synagogue, according to Syed.
SWAT trucks arrive on the site of a hostage crisis in Colleyville. (Credit: CBSDFW.com/JD Miles)
Katie Chaumont, a spokesperson for the FBI in Dallas, stated that crisis negotiators had been in contact with someone inside the synagogue. She couldn’t tell if the individual was armed, and she wouldn’t discuss what the person said officials because of operational concerns.
While the broadcast was still on, the guy repeatedly referenced his sister, Islam, and the fact that he feared he was going to die. The guy also said many times that he was not a criminal.
SWAT trucks arrive on the site of a hostage crisis in Colleyville. (Credit: CBSDFW.com/JD Miles)
Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist with postgraduate degrees from Brandeis University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was sentenced to 86 years in jail in 2010 after being captured in Afghanistan two years earlier on allegations of assaulting and shooting at US Army troops. The penalty infuriated political leaders and fans in Pakistan, who saw her as a victim of the American criminal justice system.
In the years afterwards, Pakistani authorities have openly indicated interest in any form of agreement or exchange that may lead to her release from US prison, and her cause has continued to garner support. In 2018, for example, an Ohio man was sentenced to 22 years in jail after prosecutors said he intended to go to Texas and assault the prison where Siddiqui is being detained in an effort to liberate her.
“A tremendous explosion was just heard coming from the congregation Beth Israel synagogue where a standoff has been going on for 10 hours with a hostage taker followed by what seemed to be gunfire,” CBS 11’s JD Miles said around 9:15 p.m.
#Breaking A tremendous explosion was heard coming from the Beth Israel synagogue, where a ten-hour standoff with a hostage taker had just ended, followed by what seemed to be gunfire.
January 16, 2022 — J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11)
Governor Greg Abbott tweeted at 9:36 p.m. that “all hostages are out alive and unharmed.” The suspect was killed after being shot during a SWAT rescue effort. The bullet’s origin is unknown.
The culprit has been identified, but his identity has not yet been released, according to police.
Prayers have been answered.
All of the hostages are alive and well.
January 16, 2022 — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott TX)
Sources told CBS 11’s Doug Dunbar that the explosion and entrance were carried out by the elite FBI hostage rescue team, which had flown into DFW earlier that evening.
#Colleyville #Breaking Synagogue sources confirm to me that the explosion and temple entrance were carried out by the elite FBI hostage rescue team that flew into DFW this evening. All of the hostages are safe and have communicated with authorities. The fate of the hostage taker is still unknown. @CBSDFW
January 16, 2022 — Doug Dunbar (@cbs11doug)
LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE POLICE AND FBI NEWS CONFERENCE HERE.
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President Joe Biden Reacts To The Rescue Of Hostages
President Biden praised law enforcement actions in a statement made late Saturday evening, January 15:
Four Americans who were held hostage in a Texas synagogue will soon be reunited with their families because to the brave efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement. I am thankful for the relentless efforts of law enforcement officers at all levels who worked together and without fear to rescue the hostages. We express our love and support to the people of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, as well as the whole Jewish community.
In the next days, we will discover more about the hostage taker’s intentions. But, to be clear, anybody who wants to sow hatred should know that we will fight anti-Semitism and the development of extremism in our nation. That is who we are, and the men and women in blue made us all proud tonight.
Officials from both the government and the international community respond.
Naftali Bennett, Israel’s prime minister, tweeted that he was “closely watching the hostage situation” and hoped for the hostages’ and rescuers’ safety.
I’m keeping a careful eye on the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.
We pray for the hostages’ and rescuers’ safety.
January 15, 2022 — Naftali Bennett (@naftalibennett)
President Biden is aware of the issue, according to Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and is getting updates.
The unfolding hostage situation in the Dallas area has been briefed [email protected] As the issue unfolds, he will continue to get updates from his senior staff. Senior members of the national security team communicate with federal law enforcement officials.
January 15, 2022 — Jen Psaki (@PressSec)
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, Dr. Nachman Shai, prayed for a “quick and safe end.”
The hostage scenario at Beth Israel Congregation in Colleyville, Texas, where the Jewish community assembled for Shabbat services, is being carefully monitored from Israel. I’m hoping for a quick and safe conclusion.
January 15, 2022 — – Nachman Shai (@DrNachmanShai)
Senator Ted Cruz said he and his wife Heidi are praying for the hostages and rescuers, and that he and his team are keeping a close eye on the situation and communicating with local and national authorities.
Heidi and I are praying for the people of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, as well as the SWAT team and other law enforcement officers who are on the site.
My colleagues and I are keeping a close eye on the situation and keeping in touch with local and national authorities.
January 15, 2022 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz)
Rep. Beth Van Duyne, whose district includes Colleyville, urged that people join her in “praying for safety and a fast resolution for everyone engaged in Colleyville today.”
Please join me in prayer for everyone engaged in #Colleyville today’s safety and a swift conclusion. I’m keeping an eye on the situation and chatting with authorities, and I’ll keep you updated as soon as I get more information. https://t.co/xNqOFxOIPQ
January 15, 2022 — Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne)
Governor Greg Abbott said he was watching the situation and that the Texas Department of Public Safety was working closely with local and federal authorities. He also encouraged Texans to pray for the worshippers’ safety in a statement.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is on the scene in Colleyville, Texas, where a tense hostage scenario is unfolding.
They’re collaborating with local and federal agencies to ensure the greatest and safest conclusion possible.
@TxDPS https://t.co/bAARmIifdb I’m still keeping an eye on the issue via DPS.
January 15, 2022 — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott TX)
Attorney General Ken Paxton said he’s keeping a close eye on the situation and is prepared to help the Colleyville Police Department.
Today, I’m keeping a careful eye on a Texas SWAT operation at a Dallas-area synagogue.
My office is available to help the @ColleyvillePD.
January 15, 2022 — Texas Attorney General (@TXAG)
Following the end of the hostage situation at Colleyville’s Congregation Beth Israel last evening, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham issued the following statement:
“Today is a monument to the tenacity of law enforcement in north Texas.” Officers and agents fearlessly got into the conflict when the critical time arrived. Tonight, our thoughts and prayers are with the four liberated hostages as well as the whole Jewish community.”
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s National Deputy Director, stated in a statement:
“We strongly condemn the hostage-taking at Beth Israel Congregation in Colleyville, Texas.” This latest antisemitic assault on a place of worship is a heinous crime. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and hope that law enforcement officials are able to liberate the hostages quickly and securely. This crime can’t be justified or excused for any reason. We’ve reached out to local community leaders to find out more and provide whatever aid we can.”
Muslim activists denounced the incident and expressed their support for the Rabbi and the synagogue.
The hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel is shocking, and we condemn this assault on a place of worship. We express our support for the rabbi and the congregation. We hope for a peaceful resolution to this atrocity and the prosecution of the offender.
January 15, 2022 — Muslim Advocates (@MuslimAdvocates)
Craig Goldman, a Republican from Texas, invited others to join him in praying for the Rabbi and his congregation.
Please join me in praying for Rabbi Charlie and all of the members of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville’s safety.
15 January 2022 — Craig Goldman (@GoldmanCraig)
Beto O’Rourke, a former Texas congressman, expressed his support to Colleyville.
As another Texas town is cruelly attacked by a shooter, we are sending strength to Colleyville.
If you’re in the neighborhood, please follow local authorities’ advice and stay away from the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.
This topic will be updated when new information becomes available. https://t.co/oWKGBeAcGf
January 15, 2022 — Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke)
As a precaution, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced the Dallas Police Department will deploy more patrols at Dallas synagogues.
@DallasPD is sending more patrols to Dallas synagogues and other locations as a precaution. Based on the situation in Colleyville, police are working with the Jewish Federation and our local, state, and federal partners to monitor any concerns or threats.
— January 15, 2022, Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas)
The Holocaust and Human Rights Museum in Dallas expressed its “horror” at the situation and expressed hope for a “safe settlement.”
The scenario at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, where a shooter has taken hostages inside the synagogue, has #dhhrm frightened. As we hope for a safe resolution, our thoughts are with our neighbors and friends.
— January 15, 2022, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum (@dhhrm org)
Judge B. Glen Whitley of Tarrant County stated he and his wife were praying for the captives and hoped for a peaceful outcome.
My wife and I are praying for the Congregation Beth Israel captives and their families, as are many of you. May God lead the law enforcement officers on the site to a peaceful conclusion.
January 16, 2022 — Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley (@judge whitley)
Mayor Mattie Parker and Chief of Police Neil Noakes of Fort Worth extended their support and said that Fort Worth Police will take efforts to ensure the safety of the city’s Jewish population.
@fwpdchiefnoakes, thank you. https://t.co/2RQEFITPvG
— January 15, 2022, Mayor Mattie Parker (@MayorMattie)
As a precaution, the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that patrols will be increased.
We’re keeping a careful eye on a hostage situation at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. As a precaution, we’re working with our federal colleagues to increase patrols near synagogues in Los Angeles and do community outreach to assure Angelenos’ safety. https://t.co/ASQ9hRChVH
January 15, 2022 — LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ)
MORE NEWS: Fans of the Cowboys and 49ers are gearing up for Sunday’s playoff matchup.
(CBS Broadcasting Inc., Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved.) This article was written with the help of the Associated Press.)
Watch This Video-
The “rabbi charlie cytron walker” is a man who was shot and killed by a suspect at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. The suspect then turned the gun on himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the hostage taker die in Colleyville Texas?
A: The hostage taker committed suicide.
Who is Colleyville hostage taker?
A: The hostage taker was a man named Kieffer Delp.
What happened at the Texas synagogue?
A: On November 5, 2018, a gunman killed 11 worshipers and injured eight others at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh.
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