Malik Faisal Akram was photographed as he entered a Dallas homeless shelter on Jan. 2, 2022. Akram was later identified by federal investigators as the man who took four people hostage inside a Colleyville synagogue on Saturday, Jan. 15.
A Dallas homeless shelter released a photograph Tuesday that appears to show that a British man arrived in the DFW area nearly two weeks before federal investigators say he took four people hostage and held them at gunpoint inside a Colleyville synagogue.
OurCalling, a nonprofit homeless shelter, said Tuesday that the photograph of Malik Faisal Akram was taken as he went through the intake process at the shelter on Jan. 2 in Dallas.
After Akram's name was released publicly and investigators identified him as homeless, OurCalling checked their records to see if they had a history with him and found that he'd stayed at their shelter on Jan. 2, having checked in under his real name.
The outreach center said Akram was seeking shelter from freezing temperatures when he arrived at 10:01 p.m. and that he gave them his real name when he asked for a place to stay. The shelter said Akram spent the night at the shelter and then left the next day.
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While at the shelter, Akram was seen talking with an unknown man he appeared to know, according to OurCalling CEO Wayne Walker, but so far the FBI in Dallas has declined to comment on those reports.
OurCalling, a faith-based shelter, said they, along with other community and religious organizations, acted in good faith and opened their doors to protect those needing shelter on that cold night.
"We take security very seriously because we want to protect our most valuable neighbors. He misrepresented himself, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing," OurCalling said in a statement. "Now more than ever, OurCalling needs the support of the community as we help individuals out of their vulnerable state and off the streets."
Before the photo was shared publicly Tuesday, the shelter said they provided it, along with video from security cameras, to the FBI.
HOW AKRAM ENDED UP IN NORTH TEXAS
Several law enforcement sources told NBC News Akram told family members in the UK he wanted to get married and was going to the US to find a bride. Akram flew to New York on Dec. 29 and then asked relatives in Britain to wire money so he could travel to Texas.
The sources said Akram flew to Dallas from New York on New Year's Eve and spent one night in a local motel, several nights at homeless shelters, and also visited a local Islamic center.
A second Dallas homeless shelter, the Union Gospel Mission, has declined to comment on reports that Akram spent time there too, saying that federal and local law enforcement asked shelter staff not to discuss the ongoing investigation.
The sources told NBC News they believe the gun Akram used to take hostages in Colleyville was purchased on the street in the DFW area.
NEW DETAILS ON STANDOFF'S END
New details were learned Tuesday about the standoff's final moments.
A law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the situation told NBC 5 it ended with a series of events in rapid succession including rising tension from the gunman, a sudden attempt by the hostages to flee, and the FBI's hostage rescue team charging in and eventually shooting the suspect.
The official described the FBI's handling of it as a textbook operation.
Several law enforcement sources told NBC 5 and NBC News that Akram initially said he would not hurt the hostages but then later threatened to kill them and that he repeatedly demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a woman convicted in a high profile terrorism case and jailed at a federal prison in Fort Worth.
Officials are looking at whether Akram chose the Colleyville temple because of its proximity to the prison, with both being located in Tarrant County.
