Two killed, attacker dead in Manchester synagogue 'terrorist incident'

Two people were killed and another four were injured on Thursday after a car ramming and stabbing incident outside a synagogue in Manchester that police have called a "terrorist incident".

As well as declaring it a terrorist attack, police said that the suspect in the deadly attack was believed to be Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.

"We believe the person responsible for today's attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie," Greater Manchester Police said late on Thursday. "He is a British citizen of Syrian descent."

Al-Shamie was shot dead by armed officers after ramming a car into pedestrians and stabbing at least one person near a synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The police added that three suspects - two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s - were currently in custody and "have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism."

Greater Manchester Police declared a "major incident" shortly after 9:30am (0830 GMT) after officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall neighbourhood of the northwestern city.

"Paramedics arrived at the scene...and are tending to members of the public," it added.

"Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9:38am," the force said in an earlier statement.

"A man believed to be the offender was shot by GMP (Greater Manchester Police) Firearms Officers and is also believed to be deceased," the force later clarified on X, adding his death could not yet be confirmed due to "suspicious items on his person".

A bomb disposal unit was at the scene, it said, adding the three people wounded were in a "serious condition".

The incident came on the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled by the attack" and a UK official confirmed he would be returning early from talks with the EU in Denmark.

"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," he added.

"My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."

Starmer added:"I'm already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe."

Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC the city was dealing with "a serious incident".

"At the same time I can give some reassurance that the immediate danger appears to be over and GMP (police) have dealt with it very quickly with some amazing support from members of the public and security at the location," he said.

Firearms officers were deployed at 9:34am amid reports from members of the public that a security guard had been attacked with a knife.

Burnham urged people "not to speculate on social media", while noting the Jewish community "will be very worried by the news".

The North West Ambulance Service said it had "dispatched resources to the scene".

"We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services," it added.

'Holiest Jewish day'

"Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible," the ambulance services said.

Manchester police noted it had activated Operation Plato, the UK's national police guidance for responding to a so-called "marauding terrorist attack".

It involves a coordinated, multi-agency effort to counter an incident involving attackers who pose an immediate and widespread threat to life.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish charity that records antisemitic incidents, said it was "working with police and the local Jewish community" following the incident.

"This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year," CST added, thanking police officers and synagogue security who "responded immediately to deal with the incident".

King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community" as members celebrated the Yom Kippur holiday.

Editors note: The headline and lead of this article have been changed on 2 October 2025 at 14:56 GMT to reflect a police statement calling the attack a "terrorist incident".