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.
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.