Police and other law-enforcement officers were involved in a standoff at a Colleyville synagogue that began during a Saturday-morning service.
Here’s what we know so far about the situation at Congregation Beth Israel:
Hostages rescued, suspect dead
One of the hostages being held at the synagogue was released about 5 p.m. and was unhurt.
The remaining hstages were rescued shortly after 9:30 p.m., following a loud bang that was heard at the synagogue.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the end of the standoff, tweeting “Prayers answered.”
In a news conference late Saturday night, officials said the suspect had been killed.
The investigation
In addition to the Colleyville police department and other local agencies, the FBI flew in a hostage rescue team of 60-70 people from Washington, D.C.
Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said that the hostage taker’s name would not be released Saturday night.
He said the investigation will be global, with agents tracing contacts of the hostage taker from London to Tel Aviv.
DeSarno also taked about the negotiations, saying that the FBI negotiator was in contact with the hostage-taker all day and that the talks kept the hostages alive.
Part of the incident was live-streamed
The synagogue’s Shabbat service was being streamed on Facebook when the incident began Saturday morning.
Although nothing could be seen in the video, a man could be heard speaking. The sound was not always clear and it was not known whom he was addressing, but at times the man seemed angry. Commenters on Facebook left messages asking for prayers that the situation would end peacefully.
The feed was removed from Facebook just before 2 p.m.
Authorities were tight-lipped
Colleyville police tweeted about 11:30 a.m. that they were “conducting SWAT operations” in the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road and that residents nearby were being evacuated.
A police spokeswoman said negotiators made contact with somebody inside the synagogue who they believed was a suspect.
But as the evening wore on, official updates provided little new information. Many simply said that the incident remained ongoing.
Synagogue has been at site since 2005
Congregation Beth Israel began in 1998 as a chavurah, which is a small group of Jewish people who gather for prayer services. The group officially established a synagogue in Colleyville in July 1999, and began services at its current location in 2005.
The synagogue is led by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker.
