Authorities in Manchester, England, are conducting a terrorism investigation following a fatal incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Thursday. The assault, which occurred on Yom Kippur, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and seriously wounded four others.
Police identified the perpetrator as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, who was shot and killed by officers. The attacker reportedly rammed a car into people before initiating a stabbing spree. Chief Constable Stephen Watson of the Greater Manchester Police noted that the perpetrator wore a vest initially described as having the “appearance of an explosive device,” which investigators later confirmed was not capable of detonating.
Counterterrorism investigators are actively working to establish the motivation behind the attack. In connection with the incident, police have also arrested two other individuals, though their identities and suspected involvement have not been disclosed. Officers responded to the scene within minutes of the initial reports.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/world/europe/terrorist-attack-uk-synagogue-manchester.html