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Texas police respond to synagogue 'hostage' situation Texas police in hostage stand-off at synagogue
(about 4 hours later)
Emergency responders have been at the scene FBI crisis negotiators are in contact with the hostage-taker
Police in the US state of Texas are negotiating with a man who appears to have taken at least four hostages at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville. Police in the US state of Texas are negotiating with a man who has taken several hostages at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville.
It is not known if he is armed or if anyone has been hurt. One hostage was freed late on Saturday, police said. He was unharmed and no other injuries have been reported.
The service was being streamed live when the incident started. The feed has since been taken down, but not before an angry man could be heard saying he did not want anyone to be hurt. The synagogue's service was being streamed online when the incident began. An angry man could be heard saying he did not want to hurt anyone.
Police deployed special weapons teams and local people were evacuated.Police deployed special weapons teams and local people were evacuated.
At least four hostages - including the rabbi - are believed to be inside the synagogue, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Four people are believed to have been taken hostage originally including the synagogue's rabbi, according to US media reports.
President Joe Biden "has been briefed about the developing hostage situation in the Dallas area", White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Twitter. One law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the man has claimed to be armed, but they have been unable to confirm whether he is.
The police department in Colleyville said in a tweet at 11:30 (16:30 GMT) that it was "conducting SWAT operations" at the address of the Congregation Beth Israel. FBI crisis negotiators are in contact with the hostage-taker.
Two hours later the department said the situation remained "ongoing". President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has been briefed about the developing situation.
"We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media," it said. The incident began at around 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Saturday when police were called to the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue. People were evacuated from the area shortly after.
A live stream of the Shabbat morning service on Facebook captured audio of a man talking loudly. A live stream of the Shabbat morning service on Facebook captured audio of a man talking loudly. He could be heard saying: "You get my sister on the phone" and "I am gonna die".
He could be heard saying, "You get my sister on the phone" and "I am gonna die". He was also heard saying: "There's something wrong with America." The feed has since been taken down.
He was also heard saying: "There's something wrong with America." The hostage-taker was also heard demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is currently serving an 86-year prison term in the US, law enforcement officials told local media.
Barry Klompus, a member of the congregation since it opened in 1999, said he had been told about the incident by another member and had quickly turned to the live feed until it was pulled. Siddiqui was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.
"It was horrible listening and watching, and it's that much more horrible not knowing," Mr Klompus told Reuters news agency. Barry Klompus, a member of the congregation since it opened in 1999, said he had been told about the incident by another member and had quickly turned to the live feed until it was taken down.
"It was horrible listening and watching, and it's that much more horrible not knowing," he told Reuters news agency.
Victoria Francis told the Associated Press that she heard the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb during the live stream. "It's a scary situation. I'm hopeful it ends the best way it can," she said.