Police have identified the man behind Thursday’s deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue that left two worshippers dead and three others injured as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian heritage.
Al-Shamie was shot dead by officers shortly after he drove into a group of people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue and then launched a knife attack.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that three additional suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, which has been declared a terrorist act. The attack happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, intensifying shock and fear across the country.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned the assault, announcing that more police would be stationed at synagogues nationwide. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also said police patrols in and around synagogues in the capital would be increased.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the attack in Crumpsall, north Manchester, as the “tragic result” of an “unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, campuses, on social media and elsewhere.” He added, “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.”
GMP said the injured included a man who was stabbed, another who was hit by the vehicle, and a third who was hurt during the police response and later taken to hospital.
Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were arrested on suspicion of preparing and instigating acts of terrorism. Police also examined a suspicious device that Al-Shamie had strapped to his body, but it was determined to be non-explosive.
Authorities revealed that Al-Shamie came to the UK as a child and received British citizenship in 2006. There were no records showing he had been referred to Prevent, the government’s anti-radicalisation programme.
Emergency calls were made at 09:31 on Thursday when the attacker drove his car at pedestrians outside the synagogue. Security personnel acted swiftly to block him from entering the building.
Video footage showed armed officers confronting the suspect, warning people to stay back because “he has a bomb on him.” At 09:38, officers opened fire as the man attempted to get up, stopping him seven minutes after the initial alert.
Starmer praised officers, synagogue security teams, and Rabbi Daniel Walker for their quick response, saying their actions averted an even greater tragedy. Walker has been hailed as a hero for his role in protecting worshippers during the attack.
The prime minister returned early from a European leaders’ summit in Denmark to deal with the crisis.
After chairing a Cobra emergency committee meeting, he addressed the nation from Downing Street, condemning the “terrorist attack” and stating that the suspect “attacked Jews because they are Jews.”
He assured the Jewish community, “I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community. I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love.”
Robin Simcox, the commissioner for countering extremism, told the BBC’s Newsnight programme that the use of a fake suicide vest was an early indicator that the attack had an “Islamist” element.
He added, “Something pretty fundamental has changed in the UK over the past couple of years, where Jews are now openly saying they don't feel safe and they're not sure if they see a future for themselves in the United Kingdom.”