Malik Akram called NY number before taking Texas synagogue hostage: report

The armed terrorist who took four people hostage inside a Texas synagogue made phone calls to someone with a New York number before the incident, it was revealed Tuesday. 

Shortly after Malik Faisal Akram arrived in New York on Dec. 29, he purchased a cell phone with a New York area code and made a number of calls to the individual, who also had a number from New York, according to law enforcement sources and the Washington Post. 

Investigators probing the incident have identified that person and told the outlet it doesn’t appear they had anything to do with Akram’s plan.

Law enforcement sources told The Post Akram had also used the phone to make calls to his family in the UK to ask for money and tell them he was headed to Texas to get married.

On Saturday, Akram, 44, walked into Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, about 26 miles northwest of Dallas, and took three congregants and a rabbi hostage for 11 hours before he was killed by police. 

Photo of Malik Faisal Akram pulling his face covering to reveal his face.
Akram apparently chose the synagogue because it looked to be the closest gathering of Jewish people to the federal prison where Aafia Siddiqui is serving an 86-year sentence.
REUTERS

The British national had been suffering from mental health issues and made demands to the FBI to immediately release Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman who was convicted on terrorism charges in 2010. 

Akram apparently chose the synagogue because it looked to be the closest gathering of Jewish people to the federal prison where Siddiqui is serving an 86-year sentence for trying to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan, the outlet said. 

Two days after Akram arrived in New York, he boarded a flight to Texas, law enforcement sources previously told The Post, and while in the Dallas area, stayed at the OurCalling homeless shelter, a spokesperson for the Colleyville Police told the outlet. 

Footage of Akram holding four people hostage inside the synagogue.
Akram held four people hostage inside the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue and demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui.

It wasn’t immediately clear how long he was at the shelter but Wayne Walker, the CEO and pastor of OurCalling, said Akram arrived at the shelter on Jan. 2 and was seen hugging the man who dropped him off. 

“He was dropped off by somebody that looked like he had a relationship with him,” said Walker, adding photos and videos of the man have been turned over to the FBI.  

The gun that Akram used to take the hostages was a pistol bought on the street in Texas that had been reported stolen, law enforcement sources said. It was traced to a recorded purchase in 2020 but it’s unclear how the weapon ended up in the terrorist’s possession, the outlet reported.

Malik Faisal Akram with others, but they have their faces blurred out.
Akram was shot dead by the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team after holding four hostages for more than 10 hours at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.

During Akram’s 11-hour standoff with police, his family was called in to help with negotiations and his two teenage children were detained for questioning, law enforcement officials told the outlet. 

British investigators detained the kids to try to get a clearer picture of Akram’s actions and motives but it wasn’t immediately clear what they were able to provide. 

On Sunday, Greater Manchester Police said two teens were taken into custody for questioning in connection with the incident and on Tuesday, the kids were released without charges, the outlet said. 

Police vehicles stand in front of Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.
Akram had also used the phone to make calls to his family in the UK to ask for money and tell them he was headed to Texas to get married, according to law enforcement.
AP

FBI agents have been working to trace Akram’s movements in the US and figure out who he spoke to and what he did before the Saturday attack. They’ve been able to obtain electronic data about his movements and reviewed internet searches he made in his hunt for a target, the outlet said. 

Earlier Tuesday, The Telegraph reported Akram was previously investigated by UK intelligence services “in the second half of 2020” but determined not to be a terroristic threat. The probe was closed shortly.

source: nypost.com