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Revealed: Last known picture of Texas gunman before siege

Speculation mounts about a US accomplice as 'mystery man' caught on CCTV

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This is the last known picture of the man behind a Texas synagogue siege last weekend.

Malik Faisal Akram, the gunman who took a rabbi and three other people hostage in the Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville Texas, spent time in homeless shelters in Texas before he carried out his attack on the synagogue, including one run by OurCalling, a nonprofit Christian organisation which cares for the homeless in Dallas County.

It is in this shelter that he is pictured for what is believed to be the last time alive before the 11 hour siege at the synagogue. In the photo, he's shown pulling down his mask to be photographed by hostel staff.

It has also been claimed that he may have had an accomplice in America.

CEO and pastor of OurCalling, Wayne Walker, said Akram “was dropped off by somebody that looked like he had a relationship with him”.

OurCalling has given photos and videos to the FBI to help with their investigation.
According to its website, OurCalling is a movement “motivated by the love of Christ to search in every corner of the city for the lost and needy and offer them true friendship and meaningful support… guiding them to a relationship with Jesus Christ that will help them to realize their worth and inspire them to invest in their lives.”

Akram is reported to have spent three nights between 6th and 13th January at Union Gospel Mission Dallas, according to the shelter’s CEO Bruce Butler and cited by a CBS Local affiliate in Dallas. Their records show that Akram left their shelter for the last time on 13th January, two days before he took the hostages at the synagogue.

The FBI has not released information on how Akram arranged his stays in Texas homeless shelters, nor how he bought his weapons. It remains unknown whether the man in the OurCalling footage could be an accomplice, and exactly what role he might have played in helping Akram to prepare his attack.

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