According to US media, a hostage-taking took place in a synagogue in the American state of Texas on Saturday. The television channels CNN and Fox News, as well as local media, reported on a large-scale police operation at a synagogue in Colleyville near Dallas. The local police initially only said that special forces were on duty at the address of a synagogue. Houses in the immediate vicinity have been evacuated and citizens should avoid the area. The police initially did not provide any more specific information, and it was also unclear how many people should be in the presence of the hostage-taker.
CNN, citing police, reported that there were no injuries so far and there was no danger to the general public.
The Federal Police FBI was involved in the operation.
According to information from the "Dallas Morning News", the police negotiated with the hostage-taker.
In a live broadcast of the congregation's morning prayers, which was streamed to Facebook, a man's voice could be heard asking to call his sister.
He was also heard saying, "I'm going to die" and "There's something wrong with America."
The police and city government initially did not respond to an AFP request for more information about the incident.