![FBI downplays religious connection of hostage crisis at Jewish synagogue. It does not end well.](https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=28835946&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C14%2C0%2C15)
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
The FBI and Associated Press were slammed Saturday over a bizarre tweet from the AP addressing the hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Saturday.
After law enforcement announced the hostage-taker's death, the FBI seemingly downplayed the religious aspect of the crime.
"BREAKING: The FBI says the Texas synagogue hostage taker's demands were specifically focused on issue not connected to the Jewish community," the AP tweeted.
BREAKING: The FBI says the Texas synagogue hostage taker's demands were specifically focused on issue not connected to the Jewish community.https://apne.ws/giqEpIH— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1642308983
The AP quoted FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno as the FBI official behind the remarks.
"DeSarno said the hostage taker was specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community and there was no immediate indication that the man had was part of any broader plan, but DeSarno said the agency’s investigation 'will have global reach,'" the news report said.
The AP's tweet immediately generated backlash for amplifying what DeSarno said. Critics questioned how law enforcement officials could arrive to such a conclusion when the investigation into the incident was in the earliest stages.
Others abruptly fact-checked the AP's tweet. In fact, despite attempts to downplay the religious aspect of the incident, the hostage-taker chose a synagogue on Sabbath where Jews were gathered and he allegedly demanded the release of a convicted terrorist known for being an adamant anti-Semite.
Fortunately, all hostages were released without injury. The suspect was killed, but law enforcement did not say who fired the fatal shot.