A rabbi has today described how he escaped a 10-hour siege with a gunman who held up a US synagogue.
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn, held four hostages at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, yesterday.
He was shot and killed by the FBI after a 10-hour stand-off.
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Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker has told how he "threw a chair" at the gunman which allowed him and two other hostages to flee.
He thought Akram had arrived at the synagogue for shelter and offered him a cup of tea.
Speaking to American TV network CBS, Mr Cytron-Walker said: "It was terrifying, it was overwhelming, and we are still processing, it's been a lot.
"When I took him I stayed with him. Making tea was an opportunity to speak with him and in that moment I didn't hear anything suspicious.
"Some of his story didn't quite add up so I was a little bit suspicious but that isn't necessarily an uncommon thing."
Mr Cytron-Walker described how he heard a "click" which turned out to be the hostage taker's gun.
He added: "It was during prayer. While we were praying my back was turned and I heard a click.
"In the last hour of the stand-off he wasn't getting what he wanted, it didn't look good, it didn't sound good," he said.
"We were terrified. When I saw an opportunity where he wasn't in a good position and I made sure the two gentlemen with me were ready to go and the exit wasn't too far away.
"I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman and headed for the door and all three of us were able to get out without a shot being fired."
It is understood the hostage taker had flown to America two weeks ago and had been living in a homeless shelter before purchasing a gun on the streets.
Akram's brother, Gulbar demanded answers about how the attack was allowed to unfold, after claiming his sibling was known to police and had a criminal record.
"He's known to police. Got a criminal record. How was he allowed to get a visa and acquire a gun," he told Sky News.
Two teenagers have since been detained in south Manchester by officers from Counter Terror Policing North West in connection with the hostage attack.
The pair, both believed to be under 18, cannot be identified for legal reasons.
The Manchester Evening News understands that security services are not looking for anyone else at this stage.
And while it is still early in the investigation on both sides of the Atlantic, it is understood there's no immediate suggestion Akram was part of any wider terror network.
The UK terror threat remains at severe and has not changed in light of Sunday's attack in the US.
The first part of the siege was live-streamed on Facebook until the feed was cut off around 2pm.
On the Facebook live, Akram was heard calling for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al Qaeda.
She was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.
US President Joe Biden branded the incident 'an act of terror' and said that UK police are working with authorities in America on the investigation.
Akram's brother Gulbar said that his family were 'devastated' by his death after they spent hours talking to him in an attempt to secure a peaceful resolution.
Assistant Chief Constable Dominic Scally for Counter Terror Policing North West confirmed that Akram was behind the attack and said they were assisting with the ongoing investigation.
He added: "Police forces in the region will continue to liaise with their local communities, including the Jewish community, and will put in place any necessary measures to provide reassurance to them.
"We continue to urge the public to report anything that might be linked to terrorism to police, by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 – your call could save lives."
