The US FBI ended a hostage situation on Saturday after attempting to negotiate with a UK national, Malik Faisal Akram, who had taken hostages in a synagogue in Colleyville Texas. Sometime after arriving in the US at JFK airport Malik traveled to Colleyville and stayed a few nights at a homeless shelter. He purchased a firearm on an unknown date before commencing his takeover of the synagogue. Four individuals were taken hostage though one was released around 5 pm that evening. The hostage taker had demanded the release of a UK national Aafia Siddiqui who has been in US federal prison after being convicted of terrorist offenses. However by 9 pm despite attempts by FBI negotiators and the suspect’s family to defuse the situation the FBI was forced to take action to try and save the remaining hostages.

The US and the UK have both condemned the incident. The hostage taker’s brother said that his family condemned the act of violence and offered condolences to the victims and their families. At this time US and UK officials are not sure of when Malik became radicalized and details regarding the weapon he purchased in the US have not been released. A combination of FBI SWAT headquartered in Texas field offices and the FBI Hostage Rescue Team appear to have carried out the rescue.