Police called to Texas synagogue amid hostage situation

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Authorities are negotiating with a man who has reportedly taken people hostage at the Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, during services on Saturday, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The Colleyville police on Twitter earlier on Saturday said it was conducting SWAT operations on the block where Reform synagogue is located and said that all residents in the immediate area were being evacuated.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the service was being livestreamed on Facebook, but that it has since been taken down. The audio recording captured what sounded like negotiations with police.

According to Facebook commenters on the livestream, an angry man could be heard ranting, at times talking about religion, the Star-Telegram reported. The man 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 repeatedly said he believes he is going to die, the Texas newspaper added.

It was unclear how many people were in the synagogue at the time.

Colleyville Police Sgt Dara Nelson, speaking to CNN, said there are no injuries at this time.

“The FBI negotiators are the ones who have contact with the person in the building.” Nelson said. There is “no threat to the general public” at this time, Nelson added.

Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, minutes outside Fort Worth. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area holds one of Texas’ largest and oldest Jewish communities, dating back to the 19th century.

The synagogue advertises its embrace of interfaith inclusion while placing a premium on social justice values. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, the synagogue’s first full-time rabbi and one of the reported hostages, has been at the synagogue since 2006. He has embraced progressive causes in the congregation’s spirit such as welcoming interfaith families, LGBT individuals and people interested in finding a spiritual home in Judaism, while also organizing interfaith gatherings.

This is a developing story.