Update: All Hostages at Texas Synagogue Released Alive and Safe

Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported that all hostages at the Texas synagogue are out “alive and safe” and according to local reporters required no medical attention. The hostages are being interviewed by local law enforcement along with the FBI and will be reunited with their families shortly.

According to local reports, the hostage taker has been shot dead.

Original story below:

Four hostages—including its Rabbi Charlie Cryton-Walker—remain under siege at this hour at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. 

While the identity of the suspect has not been made public, authorities believe that the motivation behind the attack is to negotiate the release of Aaafia Siddiqui, a terrorist serving an 86-year prison sentence, beginning in 2010. 

Negotiations with the hostage taker are ongoing, and a major response of Federal, State, and local law enforcement departments remains camped out in the vicinity of the synagogue on Pleasant Run Road.

The White House has released the following statement: “[The president] 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. Senior members of the national security team are also in touch with federal law enforcement leadership.” 

Texas Governor Greg Abbot said: “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on synagogue hostage situation: "The Texas Dept. of Public Safety is on the scene of the tense hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas. They are working with local and federal teams to achieve the best and safest outcome."

We will update this story as it unfolds, hopefully with the safe release of the hostages very soon.

 (Elias Valverde / Staff Photographer)