Ranting man takes hostages at Texas synagogue

By JAKE BLEIBERG
Associated Press

COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP) — Authorities say a man has taken hostages at a synagogue near Fort Worth, Texas. The Colleyville Police Department tweeted Saturday afternoon that it was conducting SWAT operations at Congregation Beth Israel. Services at the synagogue were being livestreamed on Facebook before the feed cut out. Officials said at least four hostages were believed to be inside. There have been no reported injuries. An official told The Associated Press that the hostage-taker has demanded the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda. The neuroscientist is in federal prison in Texas after being convicted of trying to kill U.S. military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.