Texas hostage-taker stayed at homeless shelters before attack: AP

The man who was identified as the hostage-taker at a Texas synagogue over the weekend reportedly stayed at homeless shelters in the area in the two weeks prior to the attack.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, whom police have named as the armed man who took four people hostage, was dropped off at a shelter in Dallas on Jan. 2 by a man that he knew, The Associated Press reported. Wayne Walker, CEO and pastor of OurCalling, which is a facility that provides services and aid to homeless people, told the news service that the individual who brought Akram to the shelter hugged him and held conversations with him.

“He was dropped off by somebody that looked like he had a relationship with him,” Walker said.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who was one of the hostages at the synagogue, said on “CBS Mornings” that he initially let Akram into Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, because he looked like he was in need of shelter.

Cytron-Walker added that Akram appeared harmless at the time, though the rabbi said he heard a gun click when he began praying, the AP noted.

Cytron-Walker was holding a live-streamed service with three other men when they were taken hostage by Akram, authorities said. One of the men was released just before 5 p.m. The rabbi and two others were able to escape around 9 p.m., after Cytron-Walker threw a chair at Akram.

“The exit wasn’t too far away,” Cytron-Walker said, according to AP. “I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired.”

After the escape, Akram was shot and killed. Authorities have said that the shooting is still under investigation, according to the AP.