Terrorist who killed two men in Manchester synagogue rampage is named as Jihad Al-Shamie with three now under arrest
One of the people arrested was a woman in her 60s
A SYNAGOGUE attacker shot dead after two men were killed in a vicious rampage has been named by police as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie.
The terror attack unfolded outside Manchester’s Heaton Park synagogue today on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
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The suspect who was shot dead by cops after unleashing a ‘terror’ rampage which left two deadCredit: Facebook
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The man was shot dead while trying to gain access to the place of worshipCredit: Reuters
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Armed cops shot the suspect, bringing his rampage to an end
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Officers at the scene today as emergency services descended on the siteCredit: Reuters
The rampage, which police are treating as terror-related, saw two men tragically die as the suspect was shot dead.
In a new update the force said: “We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today’s attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie.
“He is a British citizen of Syrian descent.”
Police also confirmed that three people – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – have been arrested.
The trio are being held on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries.
Cops added that one of those men sustained a stab wound and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack.
The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker.
Al-Shamie was shot dead by armed officers at 9:38am while trying to gain entry into the synagogue on Yom Kippur.
His name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.
However, further checks are being carried out to see if any of his details appear anywhere in records of other investigations.
The Home Office confirmed to The Sun that he came to the UK as a young child and was granted citizenship in 2006 as a minor.
Moment terrified bystanders yell ‘he’s got a bomb!’ as armed cops shoot ‘knifeman’ after synagogue ‘terror’ rampage
Shocking aftermath pictures showed what was believed to be a bomb belt and a knife near the attacker.
However, cops have now revealed that the device the suspect was wearing was “not viable”.
Operation Plato – cops’ response to marauding terrorist attacks – was stood down, but it remains a major incident.
Former Tory minister Grant Shapps has said his father-in-law Michael Goldstone came “face-to-face” with the terrorist.
The retired taxi driver from Manchester told him the man had scouted the location ten minutes beofre the attack, and had got into an argument with security when they would not allow him into the grounds.
“He was claiming that it’s a free country and he should be able to walk in the grounds,” Shapps told the Times.
“Then he came back ten minutes later in the car.”
Saying the man tried to kick down the doors, Shapps added: “He tried using his knife. And when all that failed, he resorted to the plant pots that were out front to try to smash the window.”
It was only when he and his wife Belinda saw him on a live news stream leaving the synagogue that they knew he was safe as they were unable to contact him.
Shapps said: “He told me he’ll never ever forget being face to face with the terrorist and that the security glass and holding back the doors saved further carnage.”
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The attacker was armed with a knife and an ‘explosives device’Credit: Reuters
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Police said they found ‘suspicious items’ on the attacker and called in a bomb squadCredit: Reuters
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Armed officers swarmed the scene of the attackCredit: PA
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Two other men were led away in handcuffs following raids by counter terror cops on nearby homesCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
A neighbour of a house raided in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, which appears to be a council house, said she recognised its occupant from photographs of the synagogue attacker.
She told The Telegraph: “He lived there 10 years, with no wife or kids that I could see. He never seemed to speak to anyone around here.
“I recognised him from the pictures of the attacker. I recognised his little car, the Kia, because he’d always park it badly outside ours.
“I’d see him walking around in his pyjamas and slip-on sandals, carrying a shopping bag.
“He was quite bulked up and used to keep his exercise weights in his garage. I’d see them there.”
The terrorist rammed his car into the gates of the synagogue before getting out and reportedly starting to “stab anyone near him.”
In video shared on social media, an onlooker could be heard saying that the suspect “has got a bomb on him” and appeared to be trying to press a button to detonate it.
“He’s going to blow himself up, he’s trying to press the button,” the person is heard to say – before there was the sound of a gunshot and the person fell to the ground.
After police shot the man dead “suspicious items” were found on him and a bomb disposal squad was called in.
A white lorry marked “Bomb Disposal” arrived at the scene and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue.
A “loud bang” was heard, which police have confirmed was from specialist officers gaining entry to the suspect’s vehicle “as a precaution.”
What is a Cobra meeting?
A Cobra meeting involves a cross-departmental committee that comes together to respond to national emergencies.
Its aim is to make fast, effective decisions in a crisis and coordinate the response of the central government.
The committee brings together senior government ministers and civil servants, security and intelligence officials, military chiefs and leaders of the emergency services and councils, depending on the nature of the crisis.
The Prime Minister usually chairs the meetings, which are held in the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms and are most commonly take place in Briefing Room A – leading to them being referred to as Cobra.
Cobra meetings are called at times of national crisis, owing to events either at home or abroad.
Police have since confirmed that the attack was declared a terrorist incident and an investigation into the horror is being led by Counter Terrorist Officers.
Shortly after the attack, counter terror officers swooped on a property near the synagogue, leading two men away in handcuffs.
The government confirmed that flags will be flown at half mast on official buildings until 8pm on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference earlier today Chief Constable Stephen Watson branded today’s attack as a “horrific incident.”
He said: “My thoughts, and those of my officers and staff, are with the families of the loved ones who have been affected by today’s horrific incident, on what is the Jewish community’s holiest day: Yom Kippur.
“This has been officially declared as a terrorist incident, and the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorist Police.”
He went on to confirm two other individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack and said enquiries are ongoing.
“We can confirm that two members of our Jewish community have sadly died as a result of this attack.
“Following a rapid response, armed officers from Greater Manchester Police intercepted the offender and he was fatally shot by officers, within 7 minutes of the initial call”, he added.
What we know so far…
Two people have been killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester and four others are seriously injured
A witness said a car was driven towards members of the public and a man had been stabbed
Counter-terror police have confirmed the attack is being treated as a terror incident
The suspect was shot dead 9.38am by armed police
A controlled explosion was heard at the police cordon
Hospitals were placed on lockdown and patients were asked to stay away unless it was an emergency
Sir Keir Starmer blasted the attack after he quickly flew back from Denmark early to chair Cobra.
Speaking from Downing Street, the PM condemned the “terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews”, committed by “a vile individual”.
Starmer said the Jewish community in Britain will see a “more visible police presence” as he promised to do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve”.
Worshippers inside the building at the time of the horrifying attack reportedly barricaded the doors in a bid to save themselves from the rampaging attacker.
An eyewitness said prayers had started when the horror unfolded but Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm and led the congregation to safety with the help of others.
The man added: “They are true heroes.”
A delivery driver, who gave his name as Gareth, told BBC Radio Manchester: “The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in the [synagogue].
“And then within seconds the police arrived. They gave him a couple of warnings.
“He didn’t listen, so they opened fire. He went down on the floor, and then he started getting back up, and then they shot him again.”
A man – believed to be a security guard – is one of the victims.
Brits urged to contact Jewish pals
BRITS have been urged to get in touch with their Jewish friends with messages of support after the terror attack at a synagogue saw two people killed.
The horror unfolded when a vehicle struck the synagogue’s gates before the driver got out and began stabbing people.
Now, Brits are being encouraged to flood the phones, inboxes and social feeds of their Jewish friends, neighbours and colleagues with messages of solidarity as part of a campaign.
The hope is that as Jewish people across the UK end Yom Kippur this evening and turn their phones back on – they will find their phone and social media feeds flooded with messages of support and unity.
At just before 7.30pm, as observant Jews turn their phones back on after Yom Kippur, they will be met with a wave of solidarity messages across X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, and with personal messages from friends and neighbours.
Posts will carry the shared message: “To everyone in Britain’s Jewish community: You are not alone.
“We will not let hate or those who spread it win. We stand with you.”
The /together Coalition has coordinated the campaign to ensure that Britain’s Jewish communities feel a wave of support as they come back online, and to create a powerful moment for people across the country to stand together against violence and hatred.
The initiative has already been welcomed online by barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder and comedian David Baddiel.
It has also drawn support from prominent Muslim leaders, including Imam Qari Asim MBE, Co-Chair of the British Muslim Network, and Akeela Ahmed, CEO of the British Muslim Trust.
Brendan Cox, Co-founder of the /together Coalition, said: “The attack on worshippers today is an appalling act of violence against people at prayer.
“The Jewish community was targeted on its holiest day, and many Jewish people will emerge from this period of reflection and prayer into scenes of terror and fear.
“We hope that tonight’s wave of solidarity online will be a powerful signal that we will not be divided by those who seek to spread hatred.”
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
Large numbers of Jewish people attend synagogues and fast on this day.
Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed.
“GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender.
“Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.”
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Members of the army unloaded a bomb disposal robot at the sceneCredit: PA
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Children were at the scene of the horrifying attackCredit: SWNS
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The attack sparked a massive emergency services responseCredit: Story Picture Agency
