2 Dead In Manchester Synagogue Car Ramming And Stabbing Attack

Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, drove his car into pedestrians outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday, at about at 09:31 a.m. local time, during Yom Kippur services, before stabbing bystanders. He was shot dead by police at the scene after a seven-minute response time, with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirming the incident was a terrorist attack.

Two people, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed, and three others sustained serious injuries, including one who was stabbed and another struck by the vehicle. One of the deceased could have been accidentally shot by police, according to a Chief Constable.

GMP confirmed the attack was a terrorist incident, with al-Shamie being the sole attacker. He was shot dead after attempting to enter the synagogue, but was prevented from gaining access by security staff and worshippers, including Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was commended for his actions. A suspicious device he was wearing was assessed and found not to be viable.

Al-Shamie, who entered the UK as a child and was granted British citizenship in 2006, was identified through a photo verified by the BBC and video footage from the scene. He was wearing a vest that appeared to be an explosive device, which was later confirmed to be non-viable. Three suspects—two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s—were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses.

Al-Shamie was on bail following an arrest on suspicion of rape, a fact confirmed by multiple police sources and media outlets. No previous referrals to the Prevent counterterrorism program were made for the attacker.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, stating the suspect "attacked Jews because they are Jews" and vowed to increase police presence at synagogues across the UK to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. He returned early from a summit in Denmark to address the situation and visited an unnamed synagogue.