The man who terrified worshippers during a dramatic synagogue siege in Texas died from multiple gunshot wounds, a British inquest has officially confirmed.
Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old from Blackburn in Lancashire, held four people hostage during an 11-hour standoff at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville in January 2022. The shocking incident sparked an international counter-terrorism response and ended when FBI agents stormed the building.
Manchester Inquest Reveals Cause of Death
During a recent hearing at Manchester Coroner's Court, Area Senior Coroner for Manchester West Alison Mutch recorded that Akram died from "multiple gunshot wounds." The inquest, which lasted less than five minutes, confirmed what authorities had previously indicated about the fatal confrontation.
Akram had travelled to the United States just two weeks before the attack, entering the country legally despite his criminal history in the UK. The hostage taker was reportedly seeking the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist convicted of attempting to kill US soldiers, who is currently serving an 86-year prison sentence.
Dramatic FBI Rescue Operation
The tense standoff concluded when FBI hostage rescue team members entered the synagogue after hearing gunshots from inside. All four hostages emerged physically unharmed from the ordeal, a testament to the precision of the law enforcement operation.
Coroner Mutch confirmed she had received extensive evidence from US authorities, including detailed statements from the FBI and photographs from the scene. The investigation determined that Akram acted alone during the attack, which authorities have classified as a terrorism-related incident.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about international terrorism and the complex challenges facing international security cooperation in preventing such attacks.
