Siddiqui, a former Pakistani scientist, was in 2010 sentenced by a New York court to 86 years in prison for attempted murder of US officers in Afghanistan. The lawyer confirmed that the man was not Siddiqui's brother and said she condemned his actions. The FBI special agent did not confirm the suspect's demands, but said they were "focused on one issue that was not specifically threatening to the Jewish community" - and that he did not believe there was an ongoing threat.ĪBC initially said the man claimed to be Siddiqui's brother, but later clarified her brother is in Houston - while other experts said the word the man used in Arabic was more figurative and meant "sister" in the Islamic faith.Īafia Siddiqui's lawyer said she "has absolutely no involvement" in the hostage situation in a statement to CNN. Quoting a US official briefed on the matter, ABC reported the man was demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, who has been dubbed "Lady Qaeda" by US tabloids.ĭeSarno told the news conference the suspect had been identified but did not disclose his identity. That was not confirmed by police although Miller said that "bomb techs are clearing the scene." That was more than 10 hours after police were alerted to the emergency at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, some 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Dallas.ĪBC News reported that the hostage-taker was armed and had claimed to have bombs in unknown locations. Texas Governor Greg Abbott had announced that the remaining hostages were "out alive and safe" at 9:30 pm (0330 Sunday GMT). There were reports from journalists at the scene of a loud explosion and gunshots at the synagogue shortly before the press conference. "He did not harm them in any way," he said. "The suspect is deceased," Miller told reporters.įBI Dallas Special Agent Matt DeSarno said the four hostages - who included a much-loved local rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, were not in need of medical attention, would soon be reunited with their families.
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