At this time, four hostages are being held at a synagogue in Texas.
This harrowing event is happening at the Congregation Beth Israel, which is located in Colleyville, Texas. A rabbi is believed to be one of the hostages.
Residents are being evacuated and police are advising people to avoid the area.
Colleyville Police Warn Residents On Twitter
We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd. All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area.
— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) January 15, 2022
According to the Colleyville Police Twitter account, they are warning residents to avoid the area as evacuations get underway. “We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd,” they tweeted. “All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area.”
“UPDATE 1/15/22, 1:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing,” they added. “We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media.”
One hour later, the update remained the same: “UPDATE 1/15/22, 2:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing. We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media.”
FBI Established Contact With Individual Inside The Building
Twitter / @jazgar_artAccording to CNN, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI were had made contact with a person inside the building, as per Colleyville Police Sergeant Dara Nelson.
“The FBI negotiators are the ones who have contact with the person in the building,” Nelson said, adding that there is no threat to the general public at this time.
Nelson also said that there have been no reported injuries at the time of this writing. Nelson said that local residents can stay alerted to the situation through the police department’s social media channels.
White House & Israel Closely Monitoring The Situation
Monitoring closely from Israel the hostage situation unfolding at Beth Israel Congregation where the Jewish community gathered for Shabbat services in Colleyville, Texas. Praying for an immediate and safe end.
— נחמן שי- Nachman Shai (@DrNachmanShai) January 15, 2022
A White House official has confirmed to multiple outlets that they are aware of the hostage situation that is currently happening in Texas.
Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai tweeted that he is “monitoring closely” the developing hostage situation.
“Monitoring closely from Israel the hostage situation unfolding at Beth Israel Congregation where the Jewish community gathered for Shabbat services in Colleyville, Texas. Praying for an immediate and safe end,” he tweeted.
This is a developing story. We will have more information for you as it becomes available.
