What happened in Manchester?
A deadly assault targeted a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, leaving two worshippers dead and several others injured. According to police, the attacker rammed a vehicle into a crowd gathered outside the Heaton Park synagogue before exiting the vehicle and stabbing worshippers with a knife. The assailant, a 35-year-old man identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian origin, was shot dead by police at the scene. Authorities described the incident as a terrorist attack.
Victims and sequence of events
Among the lives lost were Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both members of Manchester’s Jewish community. They lived in Crumpsall, the neighborhood where the Heaton Park synagogue is located. In addition to the two fatalities, three other people remained in hospital on Friday with serious injuries, including one victim stabbed and another struck by the attacker’s car. The police later confirmed that Adrian Daulby was killed accidentally by a police gunshot during the intervention, while another person was wounded by bullets fired by officers. The two killed had been behind the synagogue door protecting worshippers when the assailant struck, according to local authorities.
Suspects in custody and motive
Police said three people were detained in connection with the investigation: two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s. They were placed in custody as officers continued to gather evidence and determine whether the attack was planned in advance or prompted by a broader extremist ideology. The attacker had no prior police record indicating extremism, complicating early efforts to assess motive.
Community response and national security
The attack sent shockwaves through the UK Jewish community and beyond. A vigil held near the synagogue drew a large crowd, with emotional scenes and calls for unity against antisemitism. Local officials stressed that residents and faith communities alike should feel secure, while acknowledging the trauma caused by the incident. Security at religious and community sites across the country was stepped up in response to the attack, with authorities saying the country was on high alert as the investigation continued.
Political leadership and reactions
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the scene on Friday, accompanied by his wife, who is Jewish. He described the event as a terrorist attack intended to sow fear, noting that Jews were targeted for their faith. He also acknowledged a rise in antisemitism and pledged that the nation must confront and defeat this prejudice. At the same time, the interior minister expressed disappointment that planned pro-Palestinian protests for the weekend would not be canceled, calling certain demonstrations inappropriate given the sensitive moment. Rabbinic and community leaders urged the public to come together to oppose antisemitism in all its forms.
Looking ahead
As investigators work to establish the full chronology of the attack and potential connections to larger networks, questions about surveillance, prevention, and community protection will be at the forefront. Authorities have stressed the importance of balancing the right to peaceful protest with public safety, particularly in a time of heightened tensions. The focus for many remains on honoring the victims, supporting the wounded, and ensuring that communities feel safe to worship and gather in the days ahead.
