![]() ![]() The hostage taker, who has no connection with the rabbi, told her that Siddiqi was framed and he wants her released, the officials said.Ĭongregation Beth Israel is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, whose website indicates the congregation serves 157 membership families. The FBI interviewed the New York City-based rabbi who spoke to the hostage taker earlier Saturday. Aafia and her family,” Elbially said.Īt the request of the hostage taker, the rabbi of the congregation who was being held hostage called a well known rabbi in New York City, according to two officials briefed on investigation. “Whoever the assailant is, we want him to know that his actions are condemned by Dr. “She does not want any violence perpetrated against any human being, especially in her name,” Marwa Elbially told CNN by phone. The attorney who represents Siddiqui said Saturday “she has absolutely no involvement with” the taking of hostages at the synagogue and said the perpetrator is not Siddiqui’s brother. Officials said it’s believed the suspect wanted Siddiqui released, based on both discussions with the suspect and audio heard on the synagogue’s livestream. Suspect apparently wanted Siddiqui released “There may be some loud noises” but “there is no need for concern,” police said. Those residents were allowed to return to their homes early Sunday, the Colleyville Police Department tweeted, but it warned that FBI bomb techs were disposing of some ordnances at the synagogue. “At any moment, I thought there was going to be a gunshot,” Silverman said, adding that the suspect claimed to have a bomb.Īuthorities evacuated residents living near the synagogue as a precaution as teams negotiated with the suspect throughout the day, Miller said. The suspect was vacillating between different languages and “screaming hysterically,” she said. Massive law enforcement operationĪssets including local, state and federal SWAT teams were brought in to assist with the situation, as well as the FBI’s hostage rescue team, which flew to Texas from Quantico, Virginia, Miller said in the news conference.Ĭongregation member Stacey Silverman described watching the livestream for more than an hour, listening to the suspect ranting, sometimes switching between saying “I’m not a criminal” to being apologetic about the situation. ![]() “We do believe from our engaging with this subject that he was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community, but we’ll continue to work to find motive,” DeSarno said. She was convicted in 2010 on seven charges, including attempted murder and armed assault on US officers in Afghanistan. Two law enforcement officials told CNN earlier Saturday that investigators believe the hostage taker may have been motivated by a desire to release Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year sentence at a facility in Texas. “It’s very likely this situation would have ended very badly early on in the day had we not had professional, consistent negotiation with the subject,” DeSarno added. “But let me be clear to anyone who intends to spread hate - we will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country,” Biden said in a statement from the White House.ĭeSarno also praised the work of the FBI and local negotiators, who he said “likely saved the lives of the subjects just through their engagement. He said authorities will learn more “in the days ahead about the motivations of the hostage taker. President Joe Biden thanked state, local and federal law enforcement for their work in getting the hostages out safely. A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told CNN in an email Sunday that it is “in contact with local authorities” in Texas, but provided no other details. ![]()
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