Counter Terrorism Police have identified the suspect in the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue attack in Manchester, England, as Jihad al Shamie, a 35-year-old initially described as a “British citizen of Syrian descent.” Police later confirmed he was an immigrant who was granted British citizenship in 2006. While he was shot dead by police during the attack, three others, including two men in their thirties and a woman in her sixties, have been arrested.
The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two Jewish men, with three others hospitalized with serious injuries. Authorities are investigating the motivations behind the assault, which is believed to be linked to radical Islamic terrorism. The incident has prompted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government to announce increased security measures for synagogues across Britain.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the attack, stating, “The truth must be told: blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the streets of London, in cities across Britain, and on its campuses.” He criticized British authorities for failing to address the rising tide of antisemitism.
Police confirmed they are working to formally identify the victims and provide support to their families, alongside aiding the injured and the broader community.
