Authorities northeast of Fort Worth are negotiating with a man who has apparently taken people hostage at a Colleyville synagogue during services. It is unclear if anyone is injured and how the man may be armed. The service was being livestreamed on Facebook, and the live recording has continued to capture muffled audio of what sounds like negotiations with police. Colleyville police said it is conducting SWAT operations in the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road, the location of Congregation Beth Israel.
All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated, and people are asked to avoid the area. Commenters on a Facebook livestream of a service at the synagogue say a man there is holding people hostage. An angry man can be heard ranting on the ongoing livestream, at times talking about religion. The video does not show what is happening in the building.
The man has repeatedly mentioned his sister and Islam and used profanities. At one point, another voice can be heard apparently talking on the phone to police. The man has said a few times he didn’t want anyone hurt, and he has mentioned his children. He also said repeatedly he believes he is going to die. It’s unclear how many people are in the synagogue. Commenters on the livestream are offering prayers for Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. More than 8,000 viewers are watching the livestream. Shabbat morning service began at 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the synagogue’s calendar. Colleyville is about 17 miles northeast of downtown Fort Worth.
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