A horrific terror attack unfolded in Manchester on Thursday morning when Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British man of Syrian descent, launched a deadly assault outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall during Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day.
Armed with a car and a knife, Al-Shamie killed two Jewish men and injured three others before being fatally shot by responding officers. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the incident was declared a terrorist attack, sparking nationwide condemnation and heightened security across Britain’s Jewish communities.
Police received reports at 9:31 a.m. of a car ramming into worshippers outside the synagogue. Moments later, Al-Shamie exited the vehicle and began stabbing bystanders. Security staff and Rabbi Daniel Walker quickly locked the synagogue doors, preventing the attacker from entering as prayers were underway.
At 9:38 a.m., armed officers confronted Al-Shamie, who appeared to be wearing a suicide vest. Eyewitness video captured police shouting warnings about a possible bomb before opening fire when the attacker attempted to rise from the ground. The vest was later deemed a dummy device.
The two men killed were worshippers in their 40s. Of the three injured, one was stabbed, another struck by the car, and the third sustained injuries as police subdued the attacker. Authorities said none of the surviving victims remain in critical condition.
Police later identified the assailant as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen since 2006 who entered the UK as a child. GMP said he had never been referred to Prevent, the government’s deradicalisation programme.
In addition to Al-Shamie, three people two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offences. Multiple crime scenes were cordoned off in Crumpsall and Prestwich as investigations widened.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cut short a European summit to return to London, calling the assault a “terrorist attack motivated by antisemitism.” Speaking after an emergency Cobra meeting, he pledged stronger protection for Jewish citizens, “You were attacked because you are Jews. I will do everything in my power to guarantee your security.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ordered high-visibility policing around synagogues, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham condemned the “horrific antisemitic attack” and promised solidarity with the Jewish community.
Faith Leaders and Community Response Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as the “tragic result” of escalating antisemitism across the UK, This is the day we prayed would never come but deep down, we knew it might.”
Eyewitnesses credited Rabbi Walker with saving lives by calmly barricading congregants inside the synagogue. “He is a hero,” said one local resident.
Government extremism commissioner Robin Simcox said that the use of a fake suicide vest suggested an Islamist influence, though no official ideology has yet been confirmed.
“Something fundamental has changed in the UK. Jews are openly saying they don’t feel safe, and question their future here.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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