It was reported by Epoch Times that The FBI said late on Jan. 16 that it is investigating the taking of hostages at a Texas synagogue a day prior as a “terrorism-related matter.”
“This is a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force,” the bureau said.
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a British national, interrupted services inside Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, and took four hostages, authorities have said.
On a livestream, he was heard demanding the release of Pakistani-born Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist who is serving an 86-year prison sentence after being convicted for attempting to murder and assault Americans in Afghanistan.
Speaking to reporters on Jan. 15, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said the suspect “was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community.”
“Other than what you heard on the livestream, I’m not ready to add any more about the demands. They were specifically focused on one issue that was not specifically threatening to the Jewish community,” he said.https://o.socoms.net/www/delivery/track.php?zoneid=28&a=56ea09265fcc24d&b=rubicon&source=s2s&bid=0.87&s=300×250&f=banner&adlink=www2.darkspotsdiminished.com&pu=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theepochtimes.com%2Ffbi-investigating-texas-synagogue-attack-as-terrorism-related-matter_4217746.html
That was all the FBI said until some 24 hours later, when it said the crime did target the Jewish community and confirmed that the suspect, during negotiations with law enforcement, “spoke repeatedly about a convicted terrorist who is serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States on terrorism charges.”
“All of us at the FBI are relieved the hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas, was resolved without physical injury to those taken hostage. We never lose sight of the threat extremists pose to the Jewish community and to other religious, racial, and ethnic groups. We have had a close and enduring relationship with the Jewish community for many years. We continue to work tirelessly with the Secure Community Network, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federation, and others to protect members of the Jewish community from all potential threats,” the bureau also said.
