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The man who arrested four people at a synagogue near Dallas on Saturday was a British citizen, the FBI said, while US President Joe Biden vowed to thoroughly investigate what he called “dangerous”.
The FBI has identified the gunman as 44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram, adding that although investigators have continued to prepare evidence “there is no indication that other people are involved”.
The revelations come a day after Texas governor Greg Abbott announced a “tense hostage situation” at Beth Israel Church in Colleyville, a town about 25 miles west of Dallas.
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
At least four detainees, including a synagogue rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, were detained within hours. A young man who was arrested was released shortly after 5pm, while FBI agents continued their conversation with the suspect.
Late Saturday, Abbott said all those arrested had been released unharmed. The victim died of gunshot wounds, police said, but did not comment further.
Local journalists also reported the noise and gunfire that erupted long before Abbott announced that the detainees had been successfully released.
“Prayers were answered,” Abbott said he wrote on Twitter.
Biden told reporters Sunday that the suspension in Colleyville was “dangerous”, adding that he was working with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland “to deal with this.”
Asked how the suspect could have bought the weapons after hearing that he had been in the country for several weeks, Biden said: “It is alleged that he had weapons on the street. He bought them when he arrived.”
Biden added that the suspect “spent the first night in a homeless shelter”.
Karen Pierce, the UK ambassador to the United States, also said Sunday that she was “deeply moved by the news from Texas” and that British government officials are “providing” full support to Texas and US law firms “.
“The UK and the US unite in the fight against terrorism and in protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of our citizens,” Pierce said. he said on Twitter.
Matthew DeSarno, a special FBI agent, said the suspect was “focusing too much on one issue that has nothing to do with the Jewish community” but did not elaborate.
The suspect could be heard in a group seeking the release of a woman whom police said was Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist suspected of having an affair with al-Qaeda. Siddiqui has been charged with plotting to assassinate US troops while in custody in Afghanistan, and is currently serving 86 years in prison in Texas.
Biden said “he is grateful for the efforts of the authorities in all the groups that worked together and fearlessly to rescue the detainees”.
“But let me make it clear to anyone who wants to spread hatred – we will fight anti-Semitism and the rise of terrorism in this country,” he said.
U.S. officials added security to Jewish places of worship after anti-Semitic masses shooting at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2018. One gunman killed 11 people and wounded 6 others in the attack.
“This is a sad reminder that the synagogues in America continue to be under threat from terrorists,” Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, a human rights group, said in a statement. “Although the detainees have been rescued, we urge them to remain vigilant in defending the synagogues and all Jewish institutions. . . to ensure the security and protection of the Jews. ”
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