Four Hostages Being Held At Texas Synagogue

At this time, four hostages are being held at a synagogue in Texas.

This harrowing event is happening at the Congregation Beth Israel, which is located in Colleyville, Texas. A rabbi is believed to be one of the hostages.

Residents are being evacuated and police are advising people to avoid the area.

Update: Around 6 PM ET, Sergeant Dara Nelson said one male hostage was released uninjured.

“FBI Crisis Negotiators continue contact with the subject,” Nelson added as they try to work to free the three other hosages.

According to the Colleyville Police Twitter account, they are warning residents to avoid the area as evacuations get underway. "We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd," they tweeted. "All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area."

"UPDATE 1/15/22, 1:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing," they added. "We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media."

One hour later, the update remained the same: "UPDATE 1/15/22, 2:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing. We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media."

As of 3:20 PM, a new tweet shared the same information and did not provide any further developments.

According to CNN, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI were had made contact with a person inside the building, as per Colleyville Police Sergeant Dara Nelson.

"The FBI negotiators are the ones who have contact with the person in the building," Nelson said, adding that there is no threat to the general public at this time.

Nelson also said that there have been no reported injuries at the time of this writing. Nelson said that local residents can stay alerted to the situation through the police department's social media channels.

A White House official has confirmed to multiple outlets that they are aware of the hostage situation that is currently happening in Texas.

Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai tweeted that he is "monitoring closely" the developing hostage situation.

"Monitoring closely from Israel the hostage situation unfolding at Beth Israel Congregation where the Jewish community gathered for Shabbat services in Colleyville, Texas. Praying for an immediate and safe end," he tweeted.

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne tweeted, “Join me in praying for safety and quick resolution for all involved in #Colleyville today. I’m monitoring the situation, speaking with officials, and will update when we know more.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted, “I am closely monitoring the hostage situation taking place in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. We pray for the safety of the hostages and rescuers.”

Senator Ted Cruz tweeted, “Heidi and I are praying for those at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville and for the SWAT team and all other law enforcement on the scene responding. My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with local and national authorities.”

In a recent update, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation.

Psaki tweeted, “@POTUS has been briefed about the developing hostage situation in the Dallas area. He will continue to receive updates from his senior team as the situation develops.  Senior members of the national security team are also in touch with federal law enforcement leadership.”

Texas Governor Greg Abott tweeted, “The Texas Dept. of Public Safety is on the scene of the tense hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas. They are working with local and federal teams to achieve the best and safest outcome. I continue to monitor the situation through DPS. @TxDPS”

Texas senator John Cornyn tweeted, “Just briefed on the situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville by the DHS Secretary, and I will continue to monitor. Please pray for the hostages inside and law enforcement on the scene.”

This is a developing story. We will have more information for you as it becomes available.