Texas synagogue siege: UK Teenagers arrested as FBI names Brit as hostage-taker

Two teenagers have been arrested in England as part of the investigation into a hostage-taking incident at a synagogue in Texas on Saturday.

British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn, was shot dead after a standoff with police and FBI at the Congregation Beth Israel Temple, Colleyville.

The FBI said an armed British man travelled to Texas and took four hostages at a synagogue in what President Joe Biden called “an act of terror”.

The terrorist demanded the release of a Pakistani woman ‘Aafia Siddiqui’ who is imprisoned close by in the Fort Worth area on charges of trying to kill American service members in Afghanistan.

Greater Manchester police said in a statement: “CTP [counter terror policing] North West and CTP International operations continues to assist the investigation being led by the US authorities, and police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance.”

The Metropolitan Police earlier confirmed counter-terror officers were in contact with US authorities and the FBI.

Akram gained initial access to the synagogue during the service by claiming to be a homeless man, according to a police source quoted by CBS.

Among the hostages was the synagogue’s rabbi. One was released after six hours with the other three being led to safety by police several hours later.