Who was Jihad Al-Shamie? Manchester synagogue attack suspect identified after deadly Yom Kippur stabbing

Who was Jihad Al-Shamie? Manchester synagogue stabbing suspect identified after attack

Jihad Al-Shamie has been identified as the suspect behind Thursday’s attack outside a Manchester synagogue, where he drove a car into worshippers and then stabbed locals, killing two and seriously injuring four. Police confirmed that the 35-year-old is a British citizen of Syrian descent and was fatally shot after the assault.

“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,” authorities said. Officials noted that the suspect’s name did not appear in initial searches of police and counter-terrorism records.

The Metropolitan Police, which leads counter-terrorism operations in the UK, declared the incident a terrorist attack. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed that two additional suspects were arrested, though he did not provide further details. The victims have not yet been publicly identified.

The attack took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “vile” assailant who “attacked Jews because they are Jews” and assured the Jewish community that he would do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence.”

Following the attack, the UK government increased security at Jewish community hubs nationwide.