Inquest held into death of Blackburn man shot dead in US

Malik Faisal Akram, known as Faisal Akram, was 44 at the time of his death on January 15, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas.

The incident happened at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville and saw Akram take a number of hostages inside the building.

Expletive-laden recordings were played to the court of Akram’s conversations with officers and hostage negotiators.

This included clips where he was heard saying “You’ll never f*****g change, you’re f*****g scum” and “I’ll put a bullet in all three of them.”

Akram was also heard saying: “Get my sister here now. If you don’t bring her you’ve got three dead bodies, f**k you.”

Malik Faisal Akram was shot dead by authorities in the US in 2022 (Image: Archive)

It is thought the sister refers to Dr Aafia Siddiqi, though it has been confirmed there is no relationship between the pair. 

Throughout conversations with negotiators, he demanded the release of Siddiqi, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is currently serving an 86-year sentence at the Federal Medical Centre in Carswell, Fort Worth, for attempted murder and other felonies.

Siddiqi’s representatives were contacted during the ordeal and said she did not know who Akram was.

The inquest, held at Preston Coroner’s Court on Friday (August 23) heard evidence from a counter-terrorism officer as well as clips of recordings during the stand-off which were shared by US authorities.

READ MORE: Texas synagogue shooting: Funeral of Malik Faisal Akram held in Blackburn

Coroner Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen, said the information provided was all the evidence that had been shared by authorities in the States and that no more would be given.

“I have no powers to compel them to produce any more evidence,” he said.

Detective chief inspector Claire Devlin, from Counter Terrorism Policing, said information shared with them by the FBI noted Akram travelled to New York City on a one-way ticket from Manchester on December 29, 2021, before staying in Brooklyn.

Two days later he travelled from New York to Dallas, staying in a number of locations over the next week and a half.

He then illegally purchased a Taurus 9mm pistol for $550 from an individual who had previously been known to law enforcement. The weapon had been reported stolen in July 2020.

The individual who sold the gun to Akram told the authorities Akram had bought the weapon for intimidation purposes, to obtain money from someone in debt to him.

Malik Faisal Akram (Image: Archive)

Ms Devlin continued by saying on January 15, 2022, Akram approached the front door of a synagogue. At the time, they were setting up a live-stream of a service to be watched by the congregation online, as it was during the pandemic.

As the service progressed, Akram produced the gun from under his coat and said he had explosives in his rucksack, before becoming verbally abusive to the few members of the congregation who were inside the building at the time.

The scenes were witnessed by people on the livestream and law enforcement at both national and local level was deployed.

Akram began making demands about the release of Dr Siddiqi, and told negotiators his name was Khalid.

At around 2.40pm, officers heard a discharge of the weapon, and Akram confirmed this was him firing a bullet into the air.

Ms Devlin continued by saying the hostages managed to escape when the Rabbi threw a chair at Akram, which allowed them enough time while he was distracted to run out of a rear door.

Akram, after chasing them briefly, retreated into the synagogue where he was shot dead by authorities.

READ MORE: Hostage-taker killed in US synagogue stand-off from Blackburn

A pathologist confirmed there were five gunshots, and offered a medical cause of death of multiple gunshot wounds.

A toxicology report did not show that there was anything in Akram’s system.

Dr Adeley said he was unable to reach a conclusion of lawful killing or unlawful killing as there was “simply not enough evidence.”

He offered a narrative conclusion, saying: “I am satisfied I am dealing with Malik Faisal Akram, born on June 3, 1977, in Blackburn with Darwen. I am also satisfied the cause of death given by the pathologist of multiple gunshot wounds is the appropriate medical cause of death.

“Malik Faisal Akram died shortly after 9pm on January 15, 2022 at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. Mr Akram detained hostages at the synagogue and died after being shot by federal agents.”