At least two Jewish were killed and three others critically injured in a car-ramming and stabbing attack outside Manchester’s Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Yom Kippur. Police identified the victims as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. Authorities confirmed that one victim was fatally hit by police gunfire during their response to the assailant, calling it a “tragic and unforeseen consequence.”The suspect, 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian descent, was shot dead on site. Investigators are treating the assault as a suspected terror attack.Here’s what we know about attack
Al-Shamie, who was on bail in rape case, may have been ‘influenced by extreme Islamist ideology’
The suspect, a British citizen of Syrian descent who was living in Prestwitch, Manchester, entered the UK as a very young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006 as a minor. Greater Manchester Police said late on Friday that at this stage in its investigation it believes Al-Shamie “may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology.” However, it said establishing the full circumstances of the attack will likely take some time.The suspect’s name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service counter-terrorism records. But Greater Manchester Police said he had a non-counter-terror criminal history, including “a recent arrest for rape, which resulted in him being bailed.” His family said in a statement: “We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.”
Six people arrested in this case
In a statement, the UK police revealed that they have arrested six people in the Manchester synagogue attack. All the six were arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.“We have now arrested three further people, one man and two women, aged between 18 and mid-40s. This brings the number of people in custody arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism to six,” the police said in a statement.“We will be seeking warrants of further detention for all six individuals and will seek to issue an update on this later,” it added.
How the attack unfolded
Police responded to reports of a car driving towards members of the public and a man stabbing at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at 09.31 BST on Thursday. Officers declared a major incident and arrived at the scene in north Manchester within seven minutes, shooting dead the suspect at 09.38 BST, who police said had a bomb. A large number of people were worshipping at the synagogue at the time and were held inside while the surrounding area was made safe. Greater Manchester Police said worshippers and security staff demonstrated “immediate bravery” and helped stop the attacker from entering the building. In an update on Friday evening, police said witnesses had described seeing a man “acting suspiciously” outside the synagogue before the attack, who then walked away after being confronted by security. The police said they do not believe that incident was reported to them, but about 15 minutes later “the individual returned in a vehicle and began his horrific attack”. “We have been told from witness accounts that a man was seen acting suspiciously outside the synagogue before he was confronted by security and walked away. Based on the information we have at this time, we don’t believe this was reported to Greater Manchester Police because the man had left the area. Around 15 minutes later, the individual returned in a vehicle and began his horrific attack,” the police said in a statement.“There were a large number of worshippers in attendance but thanks to the bravery of security staff, worshippers and the fast action of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access,” they added.
Witnesses recall chaos of attack
Shah, a local resident, said she was driving past the synagogue when she saw a vehicle “just sort of rushing past and driving straight for the members of the public”. She then saw a man “jump out” and start running towards the people “with a knife and he just started going on a bit of a rampage”, she said, calling the scene “traumatising”.Inside the synagogue, Rabbi Daniel Walker described running into the foyer and seeing “a terrorist trying to batter his way into the synagogue”. He told the BBC the attacker was “body-charging the doors, throwing heavy plant pots at the doors, doing everything he could to get in”, as he and others held the entrance doors shut. Outside, Tonge said once police arrived, “they gave him [the attacker] a couple of warnings, he didn’t listen so they opened fire,” adding that the man holding the knife went down on the floor. The man then “started getting back up and they [the police] shot him again”, Tonge added – describing it as “nerve-racking” to witness. A bomb disposal unit was deployed after “suspicious items” were spotted around the suspect’s waist – police later confirmed the device was “fake”.An SAS helicopter, dubbed “Blue Thunder”, was seen flying above the area later. The aircraft, and the troops it carries, are part of a national airborne counter-terrorism response. The attack was later declared a terrorist incident.
