SYNAGOGUE suspect Jihad al-Shamie was on bail for rape when he killed two in a terror attack, it emerged today.
The 35-year-old was under investigation following the alleged sex attack earlier this year, it is understood.
Jihad al-Shamie was on police bail for rape
PAThe attacker was shot dead by armed police[/caption]
SWNSInvestigations are ongoing into the terrorist[/caption]
Syrian-born al-Shamie was shot dead by armed police – seven minutes after unleashing the rampage.
He first drove into worshippers at the Heaton Park synagogue at 9.30am yesterday morning.
He also stabbed terrified members of the public while wearing a fake “bomb vest” – killing Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53.
Adrian was accidentally shot by cops while heroically barricading the door.
Four others were injured in the horror on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Al-Shamie was not known counter-terrorism agencies but had previous convictions.
It is not known when the alleged rape took place but the attacker was under investigation by Greater Manchester Police at the time.
GMP confirmed to The Sun Online al-Shamie was arrested but had been released pending investigation.
Cops are also examining whether the unmarried recluse was behind death threats sent to ex-Tory MP John Howell in 2012.
Someone calling themselves “Jihad Alshamie” emailed the MP and said: “It is people like you who deserve to die.”
It’s understood the correspondence will form part of the police’s ongoing investigation into Thursday’s attack.
Al-Shamie came to the UK as a young child and was granted citizenship in 2006.
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.”
The killer appears to have worked as a tutor teaching English and computer programming.
What we know so far…
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitzas, 66, were killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester
Three men are seriously injured and being treated in hospital
Cops revealed one of those who died and another injured man suffered gunshot wounds
The Rabbi leading the service described the attacker yelling ‘I’m going to get you’
A witness said a car was driven towards members of the public and a man was stabbed
Counter-terror police have confirmed the attack is being treated as a terror incident
The knifeman was shot dead at 9.38am yesterday by armed cops
Three other people have been arrested after a street raid
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.”
It comes as Adrian’s family have paid a touching tribute to him after he made the ultimate sacrifice yesterday.
They said: “Adrian Daulby was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others.
“He was a beloved brother, loving uncle to his four nieces and one nephew and a cherished cousin.
“The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely down to earth man.
“His final act was one of profound courage and he will forever be remembered for his heroic act on Thursday 2 October 2025.”
GMP have since referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: “One of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.
“It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community.
“It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end.”
The family of Adrian Daulby have paid tribute
Melvin Cravitz, 66, was one of those who tragically died in the attack Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
