Manchester synagogue attack suspect named by police after two people killed and three injured – latest updates

October 2, 2025

Manchester synagogue attack suspect named by police after two people killed and three injured – latest updates

The man who carried out the Manchester synagogue terrorist attack has been named by Greater Manchester police as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent.

Police said in a statement:

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.

Here are some of the images coming through on the news wires from Manchester:

Earlier in the day, officials hailed those inside the synagogue who barricaded the door and prevented the attacker from getting inside.

Greater Manchester police chief constable Sir Stephen Watson praised the “immediate bravery” of security staff and worshippers who shut the attacker out during what Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham described as a “horrific antisemitic attack”.

Watson said: “There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.”

Officials said the attacker had entered the United Kingdom as a young child, and was granted British citizenship in 2006.

They added he was of Syrian descent originally.

Feelings of safety in the UK’s Jewish community have declined sharply in the last couple of years, according to the largest survey of British Jews since 7 October 2023.