A week ago the British state let this jihadi knifer go without punishment pic.twitter.com/m1bNqvpbw4
— Kev 🏡🇬🇧➡️ (@kevinf567) October 2, 2025
Update:
Three people have been arrested after an attacker killed two men at a Manchester synagogue in an atrocity Jewish leaders say they “knew would come”.
The attacker drove a car at people at the gates of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue and then launched a knife attack.
He was stopped from getting inside by security staff and members of the congregation – and police shot him dead minutes later fearing he was wearing a suicide device.
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Police believe Jihad al Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, is responsible for the murders.
Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences.
Officers were still at two locations linked to the arrests on Thursday night; White House Avenue, Crumpsall, and Langley Crescent, Prestwich.
The attack happened on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur and police patrols are now being stepped up near synagogues around the country.
“The second he got out of the car, he started stabbing anyone near him,” said witness Chava Lewin.
“He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”
Police said it appeared al Shamie hadn’t been flagged up via the Prevent anti-terror and deradicalisation programme.
Sky News understands he entered the UK as a very young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006 as a minor.
The prime minister condemned the “horrific incident” and apologised to Jewish people “on behalf of the nation”.
The first calls were received at 9.31am and minutes later “Plato” was declared, the code-word used by emergency services for a “marauding terror attack”.
‘He’s trying to press a button’
Video showed police pointing guns at the attacker as another person lies bloodied and motionless near the synagogue’s gates.
“He’s trying to press a button,” says the man filming. “Shoot him!”
As the attacker tries to get to his feet, a single shot is heard. Police said he was killed seven minutes after the first emergency call.
Bomb disposal experts later probed the body and a SAS helicopter flew nearby – but the object worn by the attacker was judged to be “not viable”.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said there were a lot of people inside the synagogue when the attacker struck.
“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,” he said.
Three men were also injured in the attack are in a serious condition in hospital: one with a stab wound, the second after being hit by the car, and the third with an injury possibly “sustained as officers stopped the attacker”.
Read more:
Witnesses describe how attack unfolded
What we know about synagogue attack
When ripples from overseas conflicts wash up on UK shores – analysis
A Jewish man outside the synagogue said the attack showed there was “no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over”.

