'A reminder of the reality of anti-Semitism': Kamin speaks out on synagogue hostage situation

Houston City Councilwoman Abbie Kamin spoke out last week regarding the hostage situation that occurred at a suburban Dallas-Fort Worth synagogue on Jan. 15. 

On Saturday, Jan. 15, a man took four people, including the rabbi, hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel for 10 hours, according to NBC News. Allegedly, the hostage-taker demanded the release of a federal prisoner that is currently being held in North Texas who had been convicted back in 2010 for attempted murder in a terrorism-related case.

"Truly grateful to all law enforcement that have ensured the safety of all hostages at Congregation Beth Israel #ColleyvilleSynagogue," said Kamin in a tweet on Jan. 15. "To be able to breath this sigh of relief is a gift that we don’t often have, and a reminder of the reality of anti-Semitism."

After a 10-hour standoff with local law enforcement, all of the hostages were successfully rescued, with the suspect the only one to die following the events, according to NBC News. According to officials, all of the hostages were adults and didn't require any medical attention. One of the hostages who escaped from a gunman shared his story with the media.

"I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman. And I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired," said Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, according to NPR. 

Before rescuing the three hostages, a fourth hostage had already been freed earlier in the day. The FBI identified the alleged hostage-taker as Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British man who was dead at the scene of the crime. However, authorities are still not sure if Akram's death was self-inflicted or delivered by law enforcement authorities, according to NPR. President Joe Biden referred to the incident an "act of terror," and it is currently being investigated as terrorism.