The perpetrator behind the tragic attack at a synagogue in Manchester has been identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Al-Shamie was responsible for the deaths of two individuals and injuring four others in a violent incident involving a vehicle and knife at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue earlier today. Armed with a knife and a suspected explosive device, he was fatally shot by authorities within seven minutes of the assault.
Following the attack, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorist acts related to the synagogue incident, as announced by the police.
Law enforcement responded to reports of a car striking pedestrians and multiple stabbings earlier in the day. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives in the terror attack, with four others sustaining serious injuries and being rushed to the hospital.
Due to safety concerns regarding suspicious items on the perpetrator, authorities initially refrained from confirming Al-Shamie’s death. Subsequent investigations revealed that the device in his possession was not an explosive.
In an official statement released by Greater Manchester Police, it was disclosed that Al-Shamie, a British national with Syrian heritage, was the suspected assailant behind the day’s events.
The police confirmed that two individuals died at the scene, while three others remained hospitalized with severe injuries linked to the attack. One victim suffered a stab wound, another was struck by the assailant’s vehicle, and a third person sought medical attention independently following the incident.
Efforts are underway to formally identify the deceased, provide assistance to their families, support the injured, and address the wider community in the aftermath of the tragic events, as investigations into the attack’s motives continue.
Detectives are actively pursuing leads to understand the motivations behind the heinous attack, with ongoing crime scenes established at White House Avenue in Crumpsall and Langley Crescent in Prestwich, locations associated with the arrests.
Stay informed with the latest news updates delivered to your inbox.
