The assailant, Jihad al-Shamie, was a 35-year-old Syrian-born man who had naturalized as a British citizen in 2006.[1] Three people were killed, including the attacker who was shot dead by police; three others, including a security guard, were injured and hospitalised. The incident was declared a terrorist attack later that day and three people were arrested.
British Jews have raised concerns about increased vandalism at synagogues and antisemitic comments online and in person due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Jewish security groups, including Community Security Trust, issued warnings earlier in the summer for Jewish people to "be vigilant and follow the strict security measures that are in place at communal buildings, events and areas" such as locking all doors when not in use, conducting security sweeps, and avoiding congregating outside communal buildings.[3]
Incident
Police were called to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue at 9:31am BST on 2 October 2025, after callers reported that a driver had driven into pedestrians and begun stabbing people.[4] Manchester police officers quickly declared a major incident and arrived at the scene within seven minutes, shooting the attacker dead at 09:38 am. Residents local to the area reported seeing a man with a knife jump out of a moving car which had been driving recklessly and begin stabbing people, others saw people on the ground bleeding.[5] Worshippers had gathered for a Yom Kippur service, which had begun at 9:00am.[6] Eyewitnesses inside the synagogue praised Rabbi Daniel Walker for protecting congregants by locking them inside the synagogue and keeping the attacker out, before moving them to safety.[7]
Firearms officers were deployed at 9:34am as police received further reports that a security guard had been attacked with a knife. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) declared a major incident shortly before shots were fired by firearms officers at 9:38 am, killing a man believed to be the offender.[8]
At 9:37am Greater Manchester Police initiated Operation Plato, a protocol used in response to suspected terrorist attacks. The incident was formally declared a terrorist attack later that day.[9][10] Paramedics arrived at 9:41am and treated four members of the public for injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.[6][11]
Around noon, a bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene because police believed the attacker was wearing a suicide belt.[12][4] Police said that they were unable to confirm whether the attacker was deceased until the investigation concluded.[9] Investigators would later state the device was "found to be not viable".[4] At 1:23pm, a loud controlled explosion was reported.[13] The noise was later confirmed to be from the police gaining access to the attacker's car.[14] Police presence was increased at every synagogue in the Greater Manchester area in the immediate aftermath of the attack.[15][12]
Victims
Three men were confirmed dead following the attack, including the male attacker, who was shot by police. Police confirmed that the two male victims were Jewish.[5] Police also said that three people were seriously injured and remain in hospital in a serious condition; one has a stab wound, one was hit by the car,[16] and the third has an injury which may have been caused when police stopped the attacker.[citation needed]
Attacker
The offender was identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Syrian-born man who had immigrated to the United Kingdom with his family as a child and had naturalized as a British citizen in 2006 as a minor.[17]
At the time of the attack, al-Shamie resided in the Langley Crescent area of Prestwich, located two miles from the synagogue.[18][19] He was initially falsely reported to have been a part of the British counter-terrorism programme that tries to identify people at risk of being radicalised, which a later check proved to be false.[20]
Investigation
The national head of counter-terrorist policing announced the attack was being treated as a terrorist incident, and that three people other than the assailant have been arrested in two separate areas.[21] Two men in their 30s in Crumpsall and a woman in her 60s in Prestwich were all arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism following the attack.[22] Prime Minister Keir Starmer later announced at a press conference that the attacker targeted "Jews because they are Jews" and said that the United Kingdom must defeat this rising hatred.[23]
Investigators said they were "still trying to locate and examine all of the suspect's electronic devices, looking for clues as to what radicalised him" and are looking for "an Islamist motive but are looking for evidence to confirm or rebut that theory".[24]
Following the declaration of a major incident, a Special Air Service (SAS) helicopter, often referred to as a "Blue Thunder" aircraft used for domestic counter-terrorism duties, was deployed and spotted flying over the Crumpsall area of Manchester.[citation needed] The deployment of this specialist military aviation asset, which requires clearance from top government officials, was part of the wider security and counter-terrorism police response, and was believed to be providing aerial surveillance or support to the ongoing police investigation at the scene. This was in addition to the arrival of Army bomb disposal teams who were called to examine the suspicious device worn by the deceased attacker.[citation needed]
Reactions
Prime Minister Starmer returned from a European Political Community leaders' meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark to chair a COBR emergency meeting.[10] He stated that "extra police assets" would be deployed to synagogues across the country due to the attack.[9] The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed this, saying the government "will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe."[24]Mayor of LondonSadiq Khan likewise announced there would be a "stepping up (of) patrols in Jewish communities and synagogues across London" by the Metropolitan Police.[12]Mayor of Greater ManchesterAndy Burnham commended the quick response of the Greater Manchester Police and raised concerns about the fear and sadness caused by the attack, saying that the city would not allow "division in our communities".[24][25]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sympathy, saying "Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester", adding "as I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it."[28][24] Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused the British authorities of not doing enough to curb rising antisemitism in Britain, stating that "blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement" had become common.[29] British Christian and Muslim community leaders condemned the attack and offered prayers and support to the Jewish people in the UK.[25]Amnesty International UK expressed sadness over the events, calling it a "horrific act of violence that has taken the lives of two innocent people and injured many more".[30]
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