Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead after he tried to smash his way into the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue
The man who carried out the Manchester synagogue terrorist attack has been named by GMP as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent
Manchester synagogue terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie was armed with two knives when he struck in Crumpsall, police have revealed.
The 35-year-old drove his car into people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue then sprang from the car and attacked with blades.
He then tried to smash his way into the building. During the attack he called 999 and claimed responsibility for the atrocity last Thursday (October 3) and pledged his allegiance to Islamic State.
Police said today (Thursday, September 8) he had never been referred to the PREVENT programme and was not known to Counter Terrorism Police.
The chilling phone call Manchester synagogue terrorist made during attack
It has been established Al-Shamie was seen acting suspiciously outside the synagogue before being challenged by a security guard. He walked away but returned 15 minutes later to carry out his horrific attack.
Al-Shamie was shot dead by armed police in the grounds of the synagogue. He was wearing a non-viable ‘hoax’ device around his waist.
Synagogue killer Jihad Al-Shamie (Image: Submitted)
Adrian Daulby, 53, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz died during the attack. Mr Daulby died after being caught in the crossfire. He was behind the entrance door to the synagogue bravely keeping it shut with others to prevent Al-Shamie getting in when he was hit by a bullet fired by police.
Mr Cravitz is said to have been outside when he was fatally injured. Yoni Finlay, a 35-year-old father of three who helped barricade the door, was also hit by a stray bullet fired by a police marksman but is recovering.
Three men remain in hospital with serious injuries, including a security guard with car impact injuries and a Community Security Trust (CST) worker with stab wounds.
Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
Six people have been arrested and ‘interviewed at length’ in connection with the attack. On Sunday (October 5), two were released without charge – a woman, 18, and a man, 43.
The remaining four are due to be released with no further action to be taken – two men, 30 and 32; and two women, 46 and 61.
Police said ‘further releases are planned’. “This does not mean our investigation has concluded,” a top officer said.
Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts, of GMP who has operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “We have been told from witness accounts that a man, now confirmed to be Jihad Al Shamie, was seen acting suspiciously outside the synagogue before he was confronted by security. This was not reported to police because the man walked away when challenged.
Jihad Al-Shamie pictured on White House Avenue minutes before the synagogue attack(Image: BBC)
“Around 15 minutes later, he returned to the scene in a black Kia vehicle and deliberately drove the car at innocent members of the public before colliding with a wall. He then stepped out of the vehicle armed with a knife and resumed his attack.
“He had a second knife in his possession and was also wearing a hoax device on his person. This device has since been assessed and confirmed to be a non-viable device.
“Minutes after the first call was made to GMP and as firearms officers were making their way to the scene, Al Shamie called 999 claiming responsibility for the attack. He also pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
“The attack continued but thanks to the bravery of security staff, worshippers and the fast action of police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access to the synagogue.”
Jihad Al-Shamie (Image: Facebook)
Mr Potts said the attack was ‘appalling’ and that the week had been one of ‘deep trauma’ for the Jewish community.
Al-Shamie, who had multiple wives, was reportedly a university dropout. He was born in Syria but was granted British citizenship in 2006. At the time of the attack he was on bail for an alleged rape.
Mr Potts said: “From the moment the first call came into police, our efforts have been driven by a desire to establish the truth for all those affected and the wider community. They have been at the forefront of our minds and continue to be in our thoughts today.
“Counter Terrorism Policing investigations can be complex and take time due to the nature of the information and evidence that is meticulously gathered and assessed.
“However, they are unique in the fact that we have an entire national network of resources at our disposal which is ready to mobilise at short notice.”
Floral tributes outside of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
He said specialist officers, GMP, and other agencies have ‘worked non-stop’ to establish a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the attack.
“We have conducted assessments across our systems, and I can reiterate that Al-Shamie had never been referred to the PREVENT programme, nor was otherwise known to Counter Terrorism Policing,” ACC Potts added.
“However, at this stage of our investigation, we are more confident that he was influenced by extreme Islamist ideology, the 999 call forms part of this assessment.
“It’s important to stress that we look across all the evidence gathered to make our assessment of the motivation behind this attack, this assessment continues and there may be further drivers and motivations identified.
“We are also starting to understand more about him as an individual, and I’m grateful to all those who have contacted police with information. This remains a live counter terrorism investigation.
From left: Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby
“Although we have made significant progress since the attack took place, we are still in the relatively early stages and there is much work to be done. We are also supporting the coroner with their respective investigation.
“I want to record my sincere thanks to members of the local community for their patience and support as we have conducted our enquiries. Without it we would not have been able to progress this investigation at the pace we have.
“Finally, I know that when we are faced with such horrific events, it sparks a lot of public discussion and commentary. However, I want to appeal to anybody with material that could potentially be useful to please share that with us directly.”