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Colleyville: A New Documentary Reveals Unseen Footage of Hostage Crisis
A new documentary, “Colleyville,” directed by Dani Menkin, tells the story of the 11-hour hostage crisis that took place at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, in January 2022. The film is based on previously unseen security footage from the synagogue, which reveals the tense and harrowing events that unfolded that day.
According to the film, the day began with a sense of normalcy as Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker welcomed a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, into the synagogue. Akram, fueled by antisemitic conspiracy theories and a desire for global intervention, pulled out a gun and turned the four people present into hostages.
The security footage captures every moment of the crisis, from Akram’s demands to the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, to the increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric of the perpetrator. Despite the fear and uncertainty, the hostages worked together to find moments of solidarity and opportunities to act, including Akram allowing congregant Larry Schwartz to leave and negotiating with Akram to switch places with another hostage.
In a decisive move, Rabbi Cytron-Walker threw a chair at Akram, creating a window for escape, and the hostages bolted out of the synagogue, followed by law enforcement storming the building to end the standoff. While none of the hostages were physically harmed, the psychological toll of the ordeal lingered.
“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of the security footage with poignant storytelling, offering an unflinching look at the rise of antisemitism and the enduring strength of those who face it. The documentary is a timely reminder of the importance of balancing Jewish values with security and ensuring that those who face hate crimes are supported.
