TEXAS-(MaraviPost)-Unknown man ranting about religion has hold congregants hostage at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.
The Colleyville Police Department confirmed the incident adding that SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd. have evacuated all residents in the immediate area.
CNN reported that the congregation was held hostage during a live stream that began at about 10 a.m. and it was still playing for nearly four hours later before it was finally shut off.
It wasn’t clear how many people were in the building in Colleyville, a community of about 26,000 people 15 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of Fort Worth.
Police have surrounded the building and no casualties have been reported at the moment.
Other reports revealed that the man, with a British accent, could be heard making multiple references to Islam and he threatened that any police officer who tried to apprehend him would be shot.
He also claimed to have been carrying a bag containing explosive devices adding that he believes he is going to die.
Meanwhile, SWAT officers have responded to the hostage situation and FBI negotiators are in contact with the man in the building.
