Hostages safely rescued at Texas synagogue, suspect is dead

COLLEYVILLE, Texas – A man who kidnapped four people at a synagogue in the US state of Texas has been killed and four others, including a monk, have been rescued.

Worship at the Congregation Beth Israel shrine was being streamed live when the incident occurred. Suddenly a loud voice was heard saying that he had a bomb but he did not want to harm anyone. After that, the live stream stopped.

Collieville police said in a statement shortly afterwards that people had been taken hostage at the synagogue, with one man being released on medical grounds.

A few hours later, the governor of Texas confirmed that all the hostages had been released. According to US media, four people, including a monk, were taken hostage in the synagogue. The attacker was demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman imprisoned in the United States, who is currently serving an 86-year sentence in the United States.

Dr. Afia Siddiqui was convicted by a US court of seven counts of attempted murder and attempted murder of US military and government officials in Afghanistan and sentenced to 86 years in prison.