{O/C} A British citizen has now been identified as the hostage-taker in yesterday's hostage situation at a Texas synagogue.
As investigators continue to look into the incident, U.S. President Joe Biden termed the incident an act of terror.
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44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram is the man suspected to have kidnapped a rabbi and three others at a Texas synagogue during a Saturday morning Sabbath service.
The investigation stretched all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to England, where police in Manchester announced that two teenagers were in custody vis-a-vis the standoff. Greater Manchester Police tweeted counter-terrorism officers had made the arrest, but did not specify if the duo faced any charges.
In a statement, rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker said security training at his suburban Fort Worth congregation went a long way towards helping him make it through the 10-hour ordeal, which he described as traumatic.
As it turns out, the FBI's SWAT team killed the armed British national after raiding the synagogue.
Federal investigators believe Akram purchased the handgun used in the hostage-taking incident in a private sale.
Akram arrived in the United States at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York about two weeks ago. Akram arrived on a tourist visa from Britain.
While the motive behind the incident remains unknown, many believe it is because Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was arrested by reason of charges she assaulted and shot at U.S. Army members, has been kept in a prison near Fort Worth, where the synagogue is located.
U.S. President Joe Biden hammered home the message, the episode was an act of terrorism, while praising the FBI for a great job well done.
JOE BIDEN, United States President: This was an act of terror. This was an act of terror. And it not only was related to someone who had been arrested, I might add, 15 years ago and been in jail for 10 years - the idea that it was something new. And they (The FBI) did just a great job.
He also made it crystal clear America will not tolerate any acts of anti-Semitism.
JOE BIDEN, United States President: I wanted to make sure we got the word out to synagogues and places of worship that we're not going to tolerate this.
The FBI echoed Biden's sentiment, saying in a statement the ordeal was a "terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted".
Authorities in New York aren't taking any chances. They enhanced security outside key Jewish institutions following the incident in Texas.
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