SYNAGOGUE terror attacker Jihad Al-Shamie was shot by police yesterday – he was an unmarried recluse who was previously not known to authorities.
The twisted 35-year-old killed two Jewish people during a car and knife rampage outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester – with four others fighting for their lives.
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was gunned down by cops amid the terror attackFacebook
Armed cops approach the attacker after shooting him down
ReutersAl-Shamie lies dead following his rampage[/caption]
Al-Shamie came to the UK as a young child, the Home Office confirmed last night.
He was granted citizenship in 2006 as a minor, aged around 16. He was a British national of Syrian descent.
His father appears to have worked as a trauma surgeon for several NGOs in warzones across the world.
Al-Shamie was said to have lived in a council house in Prestwich, not far from the attack site, for 10 years, with a neighbour telling The Sun: “He had no wife or kids that I could see.
“He never seemed to speak to anyone around here.”
What we know so far…
Two people have been killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester and four others are seriously injured
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitzwas, 66, have been named as those who died
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 at 9.38am yesterday by armed police
A controlled explosion was heard at the police cordon
The killer appears to have worked as a tutor teaching English and computer programming.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Al-Shamie had no previous Prevent referrals – meaning authorities were not aware that he was a terror risk.
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reiterated the same point, telling GB News: “In terms of the attacker, this individual was not known to the security services.
“He has obviously been shot dead at the scene, but the police investigations will now continue at pace.”
She thanked members of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall and the police, saying their actions helped save lives.
Terror attack
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of planning the terror attack in connection with the killings on Thursday.
Police also said a suspicious device worn by the attacker during the incident has been assessed and was deemed not to be viable.
The force confirmed a bomb disposal unit was sent to the synagogue because the attacker was wearing a vest which appeared to be an explosive device.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said during a press briefing: “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 seven minutes of the original call.”
He branded it a “horrific incident”.
ReutersA device that was strapped to the suspected attacker[/caption]
ReutersThe knife used in the tragic attack[/caption]
Two men were seen being led away in handcuffs on a nearby street that was cordoned off by police
Counter terror cops are working with officers from GMP amid the ongoing investigation.
Mr Watson 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.”
Cops have confirmed no formal identification has taken place regarding the suspect.
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.”
Shortly after 9am, cops scrambled to the scene in Crumpsall, north of Manchester, where eyewitnesses said a car was “driving erratically” before crashing into the building’s gates.
One bystander said: “The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”
Another witness said: “The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in.”
A man – believed to be a security guard – is one of the victims.
A white lorry marked ‘Bomb Disposal’ earlier 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”.
ReutersOfficers at the scene as emergency services descended on the site[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyPolice and first responders behind the cordon[/caption]
SWNSChildren wrapped in blankets are looked after at the scene[/caption]
One member of the local Jewish community, Shoshi Loofe, 40, told The Sun she has been left “terrified” by the attack.
The mum-of-three said: “It’s terrifying. I go to the synagogue every weekend.
“There’s only so much the security guards can do.
“If someone comes at them with a knife or a gun, we’re all dead.”
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 a gunshot rings out and the suspect falls to the ground.
Those inside the building reportedly barricaded the doors.
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].
PAMembers of the army with a bomb disposal robot at the scene[/caption]
PAEmergency services at the scene of an incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester[/caption]
The suspect was shot outside Heaton Park 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.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who flew back from Denmark early to chair Cobra – announced that security is being stepped up at every synagogue across the country.
Starmer said yesterday: “The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking, and all of our thoughts are with those affected.
“I am on my way back to London. When I arrive, I will chair an emergency Cobra meeting.
“I’m already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.”
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.
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