Jihad Al-Shamie has been named as the man shot dead by armed officers after two people were killed and three others injured in a car and knife rampage outside a synagogue in Manchester
New details have emerged about the man who carried out a terror attack on a Manchester synagogue, after police identified him as 35 year old Jihad Al-Shamie.
In an update on Thursday evening just after 9pm authorities confirmed that they believe Al-Shamie was responsible for the deaths of two people and injuries to three others in a car and knife attack outside Heaton Park synagogue on Thursday morning.
The terrifying incident unfolded when the attacker allegedly drove his car into worshippers outside the synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, before allegedly exiting the vehicle and launching a knife attack
READ MORE: Jewish community ‘risked their lives’ to warn loved ones after synagogue attack
READ MORE: Major 6.9m tremor kills at least 72 and injures more than 200
Police reported that Al-Shamie appeared to be wearing an explosive vest, but it was later determined to be non-viable, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Childhood
Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, is understood to have entered the UK as a young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006, according to the PA news agency.
Initial searches of police and security service records did not reveal Al-Shamie’s name, and he is not believed to have been under investigation. Police also confirmed that he had not been referred to the government’s Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
Neighbours
A neighbour told the MEN that Al-Shamie lived on Langley Crescent in Prestwich, approximately two miles from the scene of the terror attack. Police swarmed the quiet residential street this evening, hours after the deadly assault, and were spotted entering and leaving a property carrying boxes.
Simon Barlass, 56, revealed he had recently witnessed Al-Shamie, who he said resided with a relative, ‘bench pressing in his garden’. Mr Barlass explained he previously lived in the house police seemed to have searched, but relocated following his mother’s death in 1993.
“The bloke who’s been shot, he lived there,” he said. “I didn’t know his name, but he used to bench press in the garden and he’d go over and use the shops over the road and come back.”
He alleged he had spotted a vehicle, which he believed was the one utilised in the assault, parked close by this week. “I passed it about three days ago,” he said.
Family life
Another resident told the Telegraph that she recognised Al-Shamie’s face from photographs of today’s events.
She told the publication: “He lived there 10 years, with no wife or kids that I could see. He never seemed to speak to anyone around here.” She added: “I’d see him walking around in his pyjamas and slip-on sandals, carrying a shopping bag. He was quite bulked up and used to keep his exercise weights in his garage. I’d see them there.”
He also was said to have lived in a council house in nearby Prestwich for ten years, with a neighbour saying: “He had no wife or kids that I could see. He never seemed to speak to anyone around here,” the Sun reports.
Police have confirmed that three men are still in hospital with serious injuries tonight. One man was stabbed, while another was struck by a car, according to the police.
A third individual “presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker”, the police stated.
Efforts are underway to formally identify the two deceased men and provide support to their families. “We are working to understand the motivation behind the attack as the investigation continues,” said Counter Terrorism Policing.
The latest police statement reads: “The investigation into the attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester this morning continues. We can confirm that three suspects are currently in custody and have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. They are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.
“Scenes remain in place on White House Avenue, Crumpsall and Langley Crescent, Prestwich, which are also linked to the arrests. We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today’s attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie. He is a British citizen of Syrian descent.
“A suspicious device worn by the attacker during the incident has been assessed and was deemed not to be viable. Based on what we currently know, our records do not show any previous Prevent referrals relating to this individual. Two innocent men were sadly pronounced dead following the incident.
“Three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries. One sustained a stab wound and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack.
“The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker.We are working to formally identify those who have ragically been killed and provide support to their loved ones, in addition to the injured and the wider community. We are working to understand the motivation behind the attack as the investigation continues.”
Follow our live blog for the latest updates by clicking here.