TL;DR: On Yom Kippur, a man attacked worshippers outside a Manchester synagogue, killing two and injuring three. Police treated it as a terrorist incident; the attacker was shot dead, and three others were arrested.
What Happened
- On October 2, 2025, a terrorist attack occurred outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, during Yom Kippur.
- Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed a car into worshippers and stabbed multiple people, including a security guard.
- Two Jewish men were killed: Adrian Daulby (53, stabbed) and Melvin Cravitz (66, struck by the car).
- Three others were injured, including:
- A security guard (stabbed),
- A pedestrian (hit by the vehicle),
- One person (injured during police response).
- Police arrived within 7 minutes and shot the attacker dead at 9:38 AM. He was wearing a fake explosive vest.
- Three suspects (two men in their 30s, one woman in her 60s) were arrested for terrorism-related offenses.
Police and Official Response
- The incident was declared a terrorist attack by UK counter-terrorism police.
- Operation Plato was activated (used for suspected mass casualty terror events).
- Bomb disposal units confirmed the attacker's vest was not a viable explosive.
- Increased police protection was deployed to Jewish sites across the UK.
Reactions and Statements
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “A vile individual committed a terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews... We will do everything in our power to defeat antisemitism.”
- Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis: Called the attack “the tragic result” of “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred.”
- King Charles III: “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack.”
- Board of Deputies of British Jews: “This was sadly something we feared was coming... Our hearts are shattered.”
- India’s Foreign Ministry: Condemned the attack, calling it a "heinous act" on the International Day of Non-Violence.
Community and Eyewitness Accounts
- Worshippers and security prevented the attacker from entering the synagogue, showing “immediate bravery,” police said.
- Rabbi Daniel Walker and others evacuated the congregation safely.
- Local residents described the scene as "horrific" and "traumatising".
- CST (Community Security Trust) reported a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK since 2023.
Investigation
- The attacker was not on any terrorism watchlist; background checks are ongoing.
- Searches are continuing at linked properties in Crumpsall and Prestwich.
- Authorities are investigating potential radicalization and planning behind the attack.
- No terror group has claimed responsibility as of now.
