On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet sanctuary for a small community. Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker was preparing to lead a livestreamed service when a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, arrived at the synagogue. His presence would change the course of that day forever.
New documentary “Colleyville” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Dani Menkin, the film reveals never-before-seen footage from the synagogue's 13 surveillance cameras, documenting the harrowing 11-hour hostage crisis in real time. The film is a chilling but deeply human look at the courage of the hostages and the resilience of a threatened community.
The day started with an act of kindness. Security camera footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and being welcomed by Cytron Walker, who offered him tea and a place to warm up. “I was just trying to be kind and welcoming, like we usually do,” the rabbi said.
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Security footage shows Rabbi Saitron Walker and Malik Faisal Akram pointing guns at him. (Courtesy of Hey Jude Productions)
However, at 10:40am the atmosphere changed dramatically. Akram took out a gun and took the four people present hostage. “I have a semi-automatic gun. I have two bombs. If we don't comply, 80 percent of the Jews will die,” he shouted.
Security footage shown for the first time in Colleyville captures all the tense moments. Mr. Akram's demands centered on the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, known as the “Female Al Qaeda,” who is being held in a prison near Fort Worth. He believed his actions could force global intervention, fueled by anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jewish world domination.
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“Either President Trump or President Biden would intervene because he held anti-Semitic beliefs that Jews rule the world and could influence such decisions. That was his distorted perception,” Menkin told FOX News Digital.
Armed Malik Faisal Akram watches one of the hostages, Rabbi Saitron Walker. (Courtesy of Hey Jude Productions)
The film highlights Akram's increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric, including his declaration, “I love death more than the Jew loves life.” There is. Cytron Walker said Akram “believed every lie told about Jews. Jews control the banks, the media and the world. It's a dangerous combination of extremism and anti-Semitism.” It was,” he recalled.
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Akram ultimately allowed congregation member Larry Schwartz to leave. (Courtesy of Hey Jude Productions)
Despite the fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of unity and opportunities for action. At one point, Akram allowed elderly congregant Larry Schwartz to use the bathroom and warned him not to try to escape. Shane Woodward, who was trying to convert to Judaism, pretended to be sick to convince Akram to allow him to leave. Before leaving, Shane negotiates to be replaced with Larry, ensuring the old man's safety.
As time passed, tensions increased. Akram fired into the ceiling, an astonishing act that was caught on camera. Cytron Walker used his training in active shooter scenarios to wait for the right moment. The moment occurred when Akram held a cup of liquid in his dominant hand and was momentarily unable to pull the trigger.
“When I saw the way he carried the cup, I knew this was our best chance,” Cytron Walker told FOX News Digital. In a decisive action, he throws a chair at Akram, creating a window through which he can escape. “We weren't far from the exit. It was a split-second decision, but it was the result of hours of watching, waiting, and thinking.”
The hostages rushed out of the synagogue. Law enforcement quickly entered the building and the standoff ended. Although the hostages were not physically harmed, the ordeal left them with lasting emotional distress. “It was a terrible day, but there was a lot to be thankful for,” he said.
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A law enforcement vehicle sits in front of Congregation Beth Israel on January 16, 2022 in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Colleyville” combines graphic security footage and moving storytelling to give viewers an unflinching look at the rise of anti-Semitism and the enduring strength of those who face it. “The footage itself was unlike anything I'd ever seen before,” Menkin said. “It's incredibly rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotion, the tension, it's a horrifying reminder of the dangers of hateful ideologies. I'll give it to you.”
Cytron Walker, a longtime advocate of interfaith engagement, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values with security. “Loving a stranger is much more difficult than loving your neighbor,” he said. “But we also have to protect ourselves.'' Since the crisis, his synagogue has significantly increased its security budget.
“This kind of hatred is on the rise,” said Seaton Walker, who was released amid rising anti-Semitism around the world. “It's even more important now to love strangers with appropriate security.” '', he added.
