Hostages safe after Texas synagogue standoff; captor dead

16/1/2022 18:40

        Four hostages are safe and their captor is dead after an hourslong standoff that began when the man took over services at a Texas synagogue in the US where he could be heard ranting on a livestream and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.
        
        Authorities say, one hostage held was released during the standoff; three others got out about 9 p.m. when an FBI SWAT team entered the building. The hostage taker was killed and an FBI Special Agent in Charge said a team would investigate "the shooting incident."
        
        The agent said the hostage taker was specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community, and there was no immediate indication that the man was part of any broader plan. But he said the agency's investigation "will have global reach."
        
        It wasn't clear why the attacker chose the synagogue.