One of the people being held as a hostage inside the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas has just been released, said Sgt. Dara Nelson with the Colleyville Police Department.

Reportedly, the released hostage is uninjured, and the FBI are still negotiating with the hostage taker to secure the release of the others.

Four hostages, including a rabbi, were taken by a man who has yet to be identified on Saturday morning in the city of Colleyville, prompting rescue attempts from authorities.

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While the Colleyville Police Department evacuated the area promptly and deployed SWAT teams, the FBI reached the scene to negotiate the safe release of the hostages.

The situation quickly reached the ears of political leaders too: US President Joe Biden was briefed shortly after the situation was reported, while Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted that he was praying for the safety of the hostages and rescuers.

The FBI identified the suspect as Malik Faisal Akram.

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Given the possible links to a known terrorist, law enforcement across the US has been stepping up security around synagogues: while the Dallas Police Department deployed additional forces around synagogues in the Dallas area, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has followed suit to step up security for synagogues in Los Angeles. The New York City Police Department (NYPD), too, has deployed forces to “key Jewish locations” as a precaution in light of the situation.