The British gunman shot dead by the FBI after taking hostages inside a synagogue has been pictured for the first time as his brother released a statement apologising to the victims.
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn, held four hostages at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, US, on Sunday.
All four were released without being hurt, but he was shot and killed by the FBI.
On Sunday night two teenagers were detained in south Manchester by officers from Counter Terror Policing North West in connection with the attack.
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Now the FBI has released the first pictures of the Malik Faisal Akram as his family spoke out against his attack and condemned his actions.
In a statement attributed to his brother Golbar they said they are 'devastated' by his death and spent hours talking to him and the FBI to try to secure a peaceful resolution to the hostage incident.
A statement posted on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page, he said: "Salaam family and friends, it is with great great sadness I will confirm my brother Faisal passed away in Texas, USA this morning.
"We are absolutely devastated as a family.
"We can't say much now as there is an ongoing FBI investigation.
"We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident.
"Sitting in the incident room last night at Greenbank until the early hours liaising with Faisal, the negotiators, FBI etc and although my brother was suffering from mental health issues we were confident that he would not harm the hostages.
"At around 3am the first person was released then an hour later he released the other 3 people through the fire door unharmed.
"Don't believed the bull**** in the media they were released from the fire exit and not rescued.
"A few minutes later a firefight was taking place and he was shot and killed. ILWIAR. There was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender.
"The FBI are due to fly into the UK later today so we don't have much else to share at the moment. Obviously our priority will be to get him back to the UK for his funeral prayers although we have been warned it could take weeks."
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.
He said he wanted to speak to Siddiqui, who is being held at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, following her conviction in 2010.
Witnesses claim he referred to her as his sister, but John Floyd, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Siddiqui's brother was not involved.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, FBI special agent in charge Matt DeSarno said that they believed Akram was 'singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community', and added they will continue to 'work to find motive'.
US President Joe Biden branded the incident 'an act of terror' and UK police are working with authorities in America on the investigation.
US officials believe Akram had a visa, arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York around two weeks ago and bought a handgun used in the incident.
In an update to reporters on Sunday, Mr Biden said while he did not have all the details it was believed Akram had 'got the weapons on the street', adding: "He purchased them when he landed."
He said there were 'no bombs that we know of', and that Akram is thought to have 'spent the first night in a homeless shelter'.
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.”
Blackburn Council leader Mohammed Khan said: "Official information is now coming through from Texas and along with other agencies we are giving every help and assistance to the investigation. Our thoughts are with everybody affected.
"In Blackburn we firmly stand by the belief that no community should live in fear for its safety as they go about practicing their religious beliefs or identity. We stand in solidarity in condemning this act of hate, violence and terror."
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the 'act of terrorism and anti-semitism', while the British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce said UK authorities are providing 'full support to Texas and US law enforcement agencies'.
