The suspect accused of ramming his vehicle into a synagogue in Manchester, England, this week, then stabbing several people before being shot down by police, has been identified as Jihad al-Shamie.
A report in the Guardian said the “synagogue terrorist” was on police bail for an alleged rape at the time.
Al-Shamie, 35, was born in Syria and reportedly had criminal convictions, although he was not being sought presently by counter-terrorism officers or MI5, the report said.
He “was shot dead by armed police after killing a Jewish man and seriously injuring several others when he attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in north Manchester on Thursday,” the report said.
Manchester police also confirmed officers apparently shot – accidentally – one of the two victims killed in the attack when they opened fire on the attacker.
And investigators were reviewing whether Shamie was responsible for a death threat sent to a lawmaker in 2012, the report said.
The victims were identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.
The report said Cravitz’ relatives described him as a “gentle giant, and a Muslim neighbor of Daulby described him as a “fantastic man.”
Rabbi Daniel Walker, leading worship at the time of the attack, confirmed the attacker shouted, “I’m going to get you” as he tried to force his way into the building.
“The Guardian has been told that Shamie was not known to counter-terrorism agencies and had not been referred to the anti-radicalization scheme Prevent but he had been prosecuted for criminal matters,” the report said.
The Guardian revealed Faraj al-Shamie, the alleged attacker’s father, called the violence “heinous” and said the family wished to “fully distance” themselves. However, it also was reported he had been online in praise of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israeli civilians, in which some 1,200 were killed and hundreds more kidnapped.
Stephen Waston, the chief police constable in Greater Manchester, explained what apparently happened with the shooting.
“It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad al-Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP’s authorized firearms officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community. It follows therefore that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end …”
He added, “We have also been advised by medical professionals that one of the three victims currently receiving treatment in hospital has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is mercifully not life-threatening. It is believed that both victims were close together behind the synagogue door as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.”
WND reported when the violence happened that the attacker rammed his vehicle, then jumped out and started stabbing people.
Police said the attack was on Yom Kippur, a holy day in the Jewish calendar.
Video shared on social media appeared to show armed police officers pointing guns at a man on the ground as one screamed to onlookers: “Everybody else, get back. If you’re not involved, move back, get away… he has a bomb, go away.”
Aerial footage shows the aftermath of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
Two people have been killed – and a suspect shot dead by police.https://t.co/KIzWO3Qof8 pic.twitter.com/Pr1n6qGejE
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 2, 2025
The synagogue attack is a terror incident, police confirm.
There are 2 victims killed and 3 more in serious condition.
Attacker is dead. Two more arrests made.
— Kate Ferguson (@kateferguson4) October 2, 2025
Some online videos showed the suspect starting to get up, but falling back after another shot. And they showed a victim on the street in a poll of blood.
