Jihad Al-Shamie Detained: Suspect in Manchester Synagogue Attack Named British National with Syrian Heritage

 The suspect in Thursday morning's terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester has been identified by Counter Terrorism Police as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian heritage, aged 35.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that they believe Al-Shamie was the guy shot dead by armed officers during the incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, even though official identification has not yet been finalized.

Additionally, officials verified that Al-Shamie had never before been sent to Prevent, indicating that he had never before been identified by authorities as a potential radical.

Following reports of a car colliding with pedestrians and a man being stabbed outside the synagogue, which was packed with worshippers commemorating Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, police were contacted at 9:31 a.m.

Within minutes, officials implemented PLATO, the country's policy for handling roving terrorist strikes, and declared a serious incident. Within seven minutes of the initial emergency call, armed officers arrived on the scene around 9:34 a.m. and shot the guy to death.

We are able to disclose that this incident has tragically claimed the lives of two members of our Jewish community. After a prompt reaction, the criminal was apprehended by armed Greater Manchester Police officers, who shot him dead seven minutes after the initial report.

The event claimed the lives of two worshippers and critically injured four more.

In relation to the incident, police revealed that a woman in her 60s and two males in their 30s had been taken into custody on suspicion of planning, committing, and inciting acts of terrorism.

Bomb disposal officers inspected a suspicious device the attacker was wearing and found it to be non-viable. Police entering the suspect's car as a precaution was connected to a loud boom that was later reported at the location.

The head of UK counter-terrorism policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, made the following statement outside New Scotland Yard:

"A horrible attack happened in Manchester's Crumpsall this morning. There have been two fatalities. The police have shot and killed the attacker.

Although we think we know who they are, we were unable to verify at the time due to safety concerns at the scene. There are three other public members who are seriously ill. According to what we know, counterterrorism policing has classified this as a terrorist occurrence, and we have also made two other arrests.

Taylor went on to say that the Yom Kippur attack on the Jewish community was "devastating" and that police are working "at pace" to fully comprehend the situation.

In reaction to the incident, police have stepped their patrols around synagogues and other important sites in Manchester across the UK. Officers are asking the public to report any concerns and to stay away from the area.