World
Rabbi Daniel Walker Hailed as Hero After Stopping Attacker From Entering Manchester Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue
Manchester, UK – Rabbi Daniel Walker of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation has been praised as a hero after taking decisive action to protect worshippers during a deadly attack on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., a man rammed a vehicle into the front of the synagogue before launching a stabbing spree outside the building.
Armed officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded swiftly, shooting the suspect, who is believed to have died.
Authorities later confirmed that at least two people were killed and three others remain in serious condition.
As chaos unfolded outside, Rabbi Walker—who has led Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation since 2008—barricaded the synagogue doors, preventing the attacker from gaining entry to the crowded sanctuary. Witnesses said his actions likely saved dozens of lives.
One worshipper recalled: “Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm. He shut and barricaded the doors, protecting everyone inside. He is a hero. This could have been so much worse.”
Eyewitnesses described the suspect acting in a “robotic” manner, targeting Jewish worshippers as they exited their vehicles or stood near the gates of the synagogue.
Video circulating online shows armed officers pointing their weapons at the attacker, who lay on the ground before attempting to rise.
Officers then fired again, as bomb disposal teams were called in to investigate suspicious items found on the man’s body, including what was initially feared to be an explosive belt.
Photographs taken shortly afterward showed Rabbi Walker outside the synagogue, his white kittel—robes traditionally worn by Jewish leaders on Yom Kippur—reportedly stained with blood from the scene.
One man who witnessed the assault said: “It is the holiest day of the year, and we get this. There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s horrifying. We just don’t feel safe.”
Rabbi Walker is a prominent figure in Manchester’s Jewish community. In addition to serving as Rabbi of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation since 2008, he holds several leadership roles:
- Co-chair of the Community and Interfaith Committees of the Jewish Representative Council.
- Chairman of The Friendship Circle, supporting individuals with disabilities.
- Director of the Manchester Beth Din (Ecclesiastical Court).
- Governor of King David Primary and High Schools.
Educated at Manchester Jewish Grammar School, Rabbi Walker studied in yeshivas in the United States and Israel, receiving ordination in 2003.
He previously held a number of rabbinic and educational positions both in the UK and abroad.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, saying he was “appalled” and that the fact it took place on Yom Kippur made it “all the more horrific.” He announced he would return early from a European leaders’ summit to chair a Cobra emergency meeting.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also confirmed the attack was being treated as a terrorist incident, while King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed that they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the assault, praising the swift actions of emergency responders.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.