What we know about hostage-taker following standoff at Colleyville synagogue

The FBI has identified the hostage-taker in Saturday’s standoff at Colleyville synagogue as Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British citizen.

“The FBI’s Evidence Response Team (ERT) will continue processing evidence at the synagogue,” the FBI said in a news release. “At this time, there is no indication that other individuals are involved. The FBI’s North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force (NTJTTF), which includes member agencies from across the region, will continue to follow investigative leads. An FBI Shooting Incident Review Team (SIRT) will conduct a thorough, factual, and objective investigation of the events.”

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said Sunday it was “aware of the death of a British man in Texas and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Central Synagogue in New York said said in a message to its congregation that Senior Rabbi Angel Buchdahl was contacted by the hostage-taker, though she had no connection with him. “Rabbi Buchdahl immediately contacted law enforcement and followed their directions,” according to the statement, signed by President Shonni J. Silverberg and Executive Director Marcia Caban.

‘Grateful,’ rabbi says in Facebook post

Charlie Cytron-Walker, the rabbi of Beth Israel who was one of four people held hostage for more than 10 hours in their Colleyville synagogue, expressed gratitude in a Facebook post early Sunday morning that he and members of his congregation made it out of the situation safely.

“I am grateful that we made it out,” he said in the post. “I am grateful to be alive.”

The four hostages were freed Saturday night after being held at the synagogue. The hostage situation has made international headlines, and Cytron-Walker’s status in the community, as well as his collected approach during the situation, have garnered support for the rabbi.

As of Saturday morning, Cytron-Walker’s post had more than 1,000 shares and nearly 400 comments.

This story was originally published January 16, 2022 at 10:26 AM.

David Silva Ramirez

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

David Silva Ramirez was a racial equity reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram until 2023. He was raised in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Eleanor Dearman

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

(817) 807-3200

Eleanor (Elly) Dearman is a Texas politics and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She’s based in Austin, covering the Legislature and its impact on North Texas. She grew up in Denton and has been a reporter for more than six years. Support my work with a digital subscription