UK working with FBI after British man took four people hostage at Texas synagogue, Priti Patel says

The UK government is working with the FBI and a “great deal of intelligence-sharing” has taken place after a British man took four people hostage at a synagogue in Texas, the home secretary has said.

Priti Patel also said “protective security” for the Jewish community in the UK is part of the response to the 10-hour armed stand-off in Colleyville, Texas, on Saturday night.

Malik Faisal Akram, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead after the FBI entered the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.

The home secretary’s remarks came after a rabbi told how he and the other three hostages managed to escape the building without a shot being fired.

Charlie Cytron-Walker told CBS News: “The last hour or so of the stand-off (Akram) wasn’t getting what he wanted, he was getting… it didn’t look good, it didn’t sound good.

“We were terrified.

“When I saw an opportunity, where he wasn’t in a good position, I made sure the two gentleman who were with me… were ready to go.

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“I told them to go, I threw a chair at the gunman, I headed for the door, and all three of us were able to get out.”

One hostage was released six hours into the siege before Mr Cyton-Walker and the others were able to escape hours later.

All of the hostages were unharmed in the stand-off.

Sky News understands Akram arrived in the US via New York’s JFK International Airport shortly before the New Year before buying the handgun he used in the siege.

Texas synagogue siege: Aafia Siddiqui – who is the Pakistani prisoner at the centre of the incident?

Ms Patel has tweeted to say she has spoken with US Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and “offered the full support and cooperation of the British police and security services” after the “deeply troubling incident”.

She also told the House of Commons today: “Just prior to questions this afternoon I had a bilateral call with my counterpart for homeland security in the US.

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“We are working with the FBI, in fact we have been since the incident took place, and there’s a great deal of intelligence-sharing and work taking place on this.

“Of course, when it comes to our own domestic homeland, there are a range of measures that are being undertaken right now including protective security for the Jewish community, and this is a live investigation so I am unable to speak about the specifics.”

Following yesterday’s horrific incident at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, I have just spoken to @SecMayorkas.

Given that the alleged perpetrator was a British national, I offered the full support and cooperation of the 🇬🇧 police & security services… (1/2) pic.twitter.com/eml8YJD8Vc

Ms Patel’s call with Mr Mayorkas came after two men were arrested in south Manchester on Sunday following the stand-off.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the teenagers, whose ages and genders they did not immediately confirm, remain in custody for questioning.

GMP said police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance.

Akram’s family have said they were “absolutely devastated” by what had happened and “do not condone any of his actions”, according to a statement which had been shared on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page.

The statement, attributed to Akram’s brother Gulbar, who said he had been involved in the negotiating with his sibling from the UK during the siege, added that the hostage-taker “was suffering from mental health issues”.

US President Joe Biden branded the incident “an act of terror”.

In an update to reporters on Sunday, Mr Biden said while he did not have all the details it was believed Akram had “got the weapons on the street”, adding: “He purchased them when he landed.”

He said there were “no bombs that we know of”, and that Akram is thought to have “spent the first night in a homeless shelter”.

Akram is said to have demanded the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US army officers in Afghanistan, and is in prison in Texas.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, FBI special agent in charge Matt DeSarno said they believed the man was “singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community”, and added they will continue to “work to find motive”.

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