What happened outside Heaton Park synagogue
Police confirmed that two people were killed and a number of others injured after an attack outside the Heaton Park synagogue on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, Manchester, at about 09:30 local time. Initial reports described a vehicle driving toward pedestrians and a man with a knife, with witnesses saying the scene quickly escalated into a confrontation between the assailant and responding officers. The incident occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, a detail authorities have noted for its potential impact on a large gathering at the synagogue.
The victims and those injured
Two people are confirmed dead, and three others are in a serious condition, according to Greater Manchester Police. A large number of worshippers who had been inside the synagogue at the time were held inside as officers secured the immediate area and then evacuated the building and surrounding streets as a precaution. The scale of the response underscored the pressure on emergency services to manage a fast-developing incident while protecting a crowded place of worship during a significant religious observance.
Police response and the suspect
Authorities say the suspect—identified by police as a man involved in the attack—was shot by officers from Greater Manchester Police and is also believed to be dead. However, investigators cautioned that the exact condition of the suspect cannot be confirmed while “suspicious items on his person” are being assessed by a bomb disposal unit stationed at the scene.
At a briefing, officers stressed that the safety of the public remains the priority as investigations continue. The presence of a bomb squad and the decision to search the suspect for potential devices reflect the ongoing assessment of risk in the aftermath of the incident.
The incident in context
Witness accounts and official statements describe a tense scene marked by rapid police intervention. BBC Verify has authenticated footage circulating online that appears to capture the moment armed officers opened fire on the suspected attacker, with a bystander’s video showing responders directing people away as warnings were issued. The footage, while disturbing, is part of the evolving picture authorities are compiling to understand how the attack unfolded.
Eyewitness accounts
One witness, Gareth, told BBC Radio Manchester that he was driving nearby when he saw a man bleeding on the ground and another with a knife near a building. He described hearing police warnings before gunfire was exchanged. Such accounts, while preliminary, help establish the sequence of events and the immediate danger faced by those at the scene. The witness also recalled a tense moment when officers shouted to others to step back as potential explosives were being assessed.
National and local response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer cut short a visit to Denmark to chair an emergency meeting and pledged additional police resources for synagogues across the United Kingdom. He underscored that the attack on Yom Kippur makes the incident even more horrific for Jewish communities already navigating a tense security environment. Police and government officials have urged calm and cooperation as investigations proceed and security measures are reviewed at places of worship nationwide.
What happens next
The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism police in coordination with local authorities. Officers will examine CCTV footage, vehicle traces, and forensically search the scene for any additional threats. Authorities have asked the public to come forward with any information that could aid the inquiry and to report suspicious activity to help prevent further harm. In the meantime, community leaders and local councils are coordinating support for those affected and reinforcing security measures at congregations across the region.
