In a Tweet, the Governor said: “Prayers answered. All hostages are out alive and safe.”
At least four people were taken hostages by a man at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville, Dallas for more than ten hours on Saturday.
A live stream of the Shabbat morning service at the synagogue on Facebook captured audio of a man talking loudly when the incident started. According to the law enforcement officials, the hostage-taker demanded the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan. Siddiqui is currently being held at FMC Carswell, a federal prison in Fort Worth Texas.
#UPDATE | Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirms, “All hostages are out alive and safe.” pic.twitter.com/UMp5dhI6KM
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2022
However, the Colleyville Police Department later in a statement said that one male hostage has been released.
US | President Joe Biden has been briefed about the developing hostage situation in the Dallas area. He will continue to receive updates from his senior team as the situation develops: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki pic.twitter.com/U7Ez0c6dYM
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2022
“Shortly after 5:00 pm, a male hostage was released uninjured. This man will be reunited with his family as soon as possible and he does not require medical attention. FBI Crisis Negotiators continue contact with the subject,” the Colleyville Police Department said.
On Saturday, at approximately 10:41 am, the Colleyville Police Department received a Call for Service in the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road.
Officers arrived on the scene and have observed an emergency situation that warranted evacuation of the surrounding areas end an external perimeter was established.