Two people have been killed and several others injured after a man armed with a knife launched a deadly attack outside a synagogue in north Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The assailant, named by police as 35 year old Jihad Al Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, drove his car into worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation before attacking them with a knife.
Armed officers shot him dead at the scene after he was found to be wearing what appeared to be a suicide belt. The device was later declared non viable by bomb disposal experts.
Two men died from their injuries. Three others remain in hospital, including one man who was stabbed and another who was struck by the car. A third man presented himself to hospital later with injuries believed to have been sustained as officers confronted the attacker.
Counter Terrorism Police confirmed Al Shamie had no previous Prevent referrals on record. He arrived in the UK as a child and was granted citizenship in 2006. His motive remains unclear.
Witnesses described chaos outside the synagogue as morning prayers began. Officers received an emergency call at 9.31am reporting a car driven directly at people outside the building. Worshippers inside were shielded after the rabbi quickly barricaded the doors.
Three people, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s, have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.
A spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Police said: “We are working to formally identify those who have tragically been killed and provide support to their loved ones, in addition to the injured and the wider community.”
The Jewish community in Manchester has been left shocked by the attack, which is being treated as terrorism.
