Terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was under police bail for an alleged rape when he carried out an attack at the Manchester synagogue. Driving a black Kia Picanto into a crowd outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, he proceeded to stab people gathered there.
Despite being a tutor teaching English and computer programming, Al-Shamie was not initially flagged in police and security service databases and was not a subject of ongoing investigations. Police responded swiftly to the incident, fatally shooting Al-Shamie within seven minutes of being alerted. Tragically, two individuals, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, lost their lives, while three others sustained serious injuries and are currently hospitalized.
Living in Langley Crescent since around 2021, Al-Shamie, who obtained British citizenship in 2006 as a young child, was remembered by neighbors for his varied activities, from working out in the garden to wearing different types of clothing on different days. One neighbor noted his solitary nature and recognized him from photos as well as his distinctive Kia car parked nearby.
Rabbi Daniel Walker, the spiritual leader of the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue, recounted Al-Shamie’s violent attempt to break into the synagogue, shouting threats while wielding what appeared to be an explosive device. Witnesses praised Rabbi Walker’s composure during the attack, where Al-Shamie targeted worshippers with his car and attempted to stab anyone in sight.
