Manchester synagogue attacker named as Jihad Al-Shamie

The man who carried out an attack at a synagogue in Manchester which left two people dead has been named by police.

The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British man described as being of Syrian descent, was shot dead outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, at about 09:40.

Two men were killed and three others injured when a car was driven at people outside the temple and before people were attacked with a knife.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said three people had been arrested – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – as part of the investigation into what has been declared a “terrorist incident” by police.

A spokesman for GMP said a suspicious device worn by the attacker during the incident had been assessed and found not to be a viable explosive.

The spokesman added: “Based on what we currently know, our records do not show any previous Prevent referrals relating to this individual.”

The incident unfolded shortly after 09:30 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – when a car was driven at the building.

Eyewitnesses describe how security staff prevented the attacker from getting into the synagogue.

Video footage from the scene shows armed officers pointing their weapons at a man on the ground, shooting him as he tries to get up.

They warn crowds the man has “a bomb on him” and urge them to back away.

The officers, synagogue security and rabbi Daniel Walker were commended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for preventing a worse tragedy.

Speaking from Downing Street after a Cobra emergency committee meeting, Sir Keir condemned the “terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews”.

Addressing the Jewish community in the UK, he said: “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.

“And I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong.”

A witness at the scene says prayers had started when the attack happened but Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm as he and others led the congregation to safety.

He adds: “They are true heroes.”

A woman, who described herself as a religious Jew who lives next door to the synagogue, says that as soon as the suspect got out of the car he “started stabbing anyone near him”.

She told the Daily Mail: “Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm, he shut the doors to the synagogue to stop him getting inside.

“He barricaded everyone inside. He is a hero, this could have been even worse.”

GMP chief constable Sir Stephen Watson said there had been many worshippers inside the synagogue at the time of the incident.

He praised security staff and worshippers who had shut the attacker out, saying that thanks to the “immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access”.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Tonight, our first thoughts are with the families of those people who died, those injured and those traumatised by this, an horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours. We condemn it outright.

“Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked.”

On Thursday evening, a GMP spokesman said crime scenes remained in place on White House Avenue, Crumpsall and Langley Crescent, Prestwich, which were linked to the arrests made earlier.

“We can confirm that three suspects are currently in custody and have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism,” the spokesman added.

They said the three injured men included one who had been stabbed, a second who was struck by the vehicle, and a third who later went to hospital with an injury “that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker”.