At least four people are being held hostage in a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, a law enforcement source confirmed to CBS News. The FBI’s crisis negotiating team has made contact with the suspect and established communication.
No injuries have yet been reported at the Congregation Beth Israel, which is located in a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Authorities have not identified the suspected hostage taker or a possible motive. A source close to the incident told CBS News that they believe he has asked for the release of Aafia Siddiqi, a Pakistani woman serving an 86-year sentence in federal prison for trying to kill U.S. officers in Afghanistan.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden has been briefed on the incident. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, tweeted that he is “closely monitoring” reports of the situation and is “praying for an immediate and safe end.”
