World
2 dead, multiple injured in car and stabbing attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester
Manchester, UK – A major incident was declared this morning after a violent attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area of Manchester during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
At approximately 09:31 BST, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received reports of a man deliberately driving a car into worshippers before exiting the vehicle and stabbing individuals near the synagogue entrance.
Two people have been confirmed dead.
Four others sustained injuries, including stab and vehicle-related wounds. Among the injured is a security guard who was on duty at the synagogue.
The suspect was confronted by armed officers at the scene and subsequently shot. GMP stated that the suspect is “believed to be deceased,” but his condition has not yet been officially confirmed due to suspicious items on his person.
A bomb disposal unit has been deployed to ensure public safety.
Emergency medical teams treated victims on-site before transporting them to nearby hospitals.
Police secured the perimeter, evacuating worshippers and ordering the public to avoid the area while counterterrorism officers and explosives experts conduct further checks.
Footage circulating online, reportedly filmed by a passerby, shows armed officers surrounding a man lying on the ground near the synagogue.
As officers held their positions, one shouted, “Everybody else, he has a bomb. Go away.” Moments later, the suspect appeared to move, prompting officers to fire additional rounds.
A black vehicle, believed to have been used in the attack, was seen stopped near the synagogue gate beside a victim lying in a pool of blood.
- Greater Manchester Police confirmed: “Officers responded at 09:31 to reports of a vehicle driving into pedestrians and multiple people being stabbed at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. Firearms officers attended and a man, believed to be the offender, was shot. Due to suspicious items found on the individual, his condition cannot yet be confirmed.”
- Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham told: “It is believed the immediate danger has passed, but we are awaiting confirmation. Our priority remains the safety of the public and supporting the victims.”
- Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party Leader, condemned the attack, calling it “an outrageous assault on the Jewish community on their holiest day – vile and disgusting.”
- His Majesty King Charles III issued a statement with Queen Camilla, saying: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”
Police continue to treat the incident with the utmost seriousness and have urged residents to avoid the Crumpsall and Heaton Park areas until the scene is fully secured.
Counterterrorism officers are assisting GMP in the investigation, and further updates will be provided as details are confirmed.
Crime
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar Created Mall Shooting Simulator in Roblox
Investigators and online researchers have identified a Roblox account allegedly linked to Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old suspect in the deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
According to platform officials, the account was discovered by users on the internet forum Kiwi Farms, who reported that Van Rootselaar had created a game — referred to on Roblox as an “experience” — that simulated a shooting inside a shopping mall.
The virtual environment appeared to resemble a Canadian retail complex, although it has not been confirmed whether the design was intended to replicate a specific real-world location.
Videos circulating on social media prior to its removal showed a player-controlled character collecting weapons and firing into crowds of animated civilians within the mall setting.
The footage quickly drew widespread concern given the seriousness of the real-world attack.
Roblox confirmed that the account belonged to the suspect and announced swift action in response.
“We have removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident, as well as any content associated with the suspect,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation.”
Initially, reports suggested the game remained accessible despite the account being deleted. However, Roblox later clarified that the content has now been removed from the platform.
The company also noted that the mall-themed experience was only accessible through Roblox Studio, a development application used by creators to build games, rather than through the main platform available to general users.
As a result, the experience reportedly recorded only seven visits, indicating extremely limited exposure.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s digital footprint, including online posts and usernames believed to match across multiple platforms such as Reddit, where references to Roblox activity were also reportedly found.
Van Rootselaar is accused of carrying out the February 10 shooting that left eight people dead and at least 25 others injured at the secondary school.
Authorities have not indicated whether the online content forms part of the official investigative findings, but technology platforms are increasingly scrutinized in the aftermath of violent incidents for potential warning signs.
Officials emphasize that the broader investigation remains active as law enforcement works to establish a complete timeline, understand possible motives, and determine whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.