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.
World
Counter-Terrorism Police Identify Suspect in Manchester Synagogue Attack as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie
Manchester, UK – Counter-terrorism police have formally identified the man responsible for today’s deadly attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester as Jihad al Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.
Al Shamie was shot and killed by armed officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after he rammed his car into worshippers and began stabbing individuals gathered for Yom Kippur services.
Authorities confirmed that two people were killed and several others injured, including a synagogue security guard. Four victims are being treated for injuries caused by both the vehicle collision and stab wounds.
According to initial reports from the Press Association, al Shamie’s name does not currently appear in existing police or security service counter-terrorism records, and he was not under active investigation prior to the attack. Further database checks are ongoing to determine whether his details appear in any other historical inquiries.
Earlier in the day, GMP stated that the attacker’s identity was known to them but could not be publicly confirmed at the time due to “safety reasons at the scene.” Bomb disposal units had been deployed because of suspicious items found on the suspect’s body, including a possible explosive device.
09:31 BST – GMP received reports of a car ramming into congregants outside the synagogue in the Crumpsall area of Manchester, approximately four miles from the city centre.
The attacker exited the vehicle armed with a knife and assaulted multiple victims before being confronted by firearms officers.
Dramatic video footage from bystanders shows police aiming weapons at the suspect, who was on the ground, before he attempted to rise. Officers fired additional shots, fatally wounding him.
In the same footage, another individual can be seen lying near the synagogue gates in a pool of blood, while police shouted warnings about a potential bomb.
The incident has been declared a major terrorist incident. GMP confirmed that the “immediate danger appears to be over,” but the area remains sealed off while forensic officers, counter-terrorism investigators, and explosives experts conduct searches.
Political and community leaders have strongly condemned the attack:
- Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, described it as “an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day – vile and disgusting.”
- Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester it is “believed” the suspect is dead, though formal confirmation is pending, and reassured residents that the immediate threat has been contained.
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla issued a statement expressing that they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the assault, adding: “Especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident, and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”
Counter-terrorism detectives are working to establish al Shamie’s background, potential motives, and whether he had any connections to extremist groups. Officials stressed that at this stage, he is believed to have acted alone.
GMP and national security agencies remain on high alert and have urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid the affected area, and report any suspicious activity immediately.