The quiet streets of Prestwich, Manchester, were shattered on Thursday, October 2, 2025, when Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, launched a deadly attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. As worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—Al-Shamie rammed his car into the crowd before embarking on a stabbing spree, sending shockwaves through the local community and beyond.
According to The Guardian and BBC, Al-Shamie was on bail for an alleged rape committed earlier in 2025 at the time of the attack. Greater Manchester Police confirmed he had been arrested on suspicion of the crime and released on bail but had not been charged. Police later revealed that Al-Shamie had a non-terrorism-related criminal history but was not on the radar of counter-terrorism authorities. "He was on nobody’s radar for terrorism, but he definitely had a criminal record, though nothing to suggest he was going to do anything like this," a police source told The Guardian.
During the attack, Al-Shamie wore what appeared to be an explosive vest, which police later determined was fake. Armed officers responded within minutes, shooting Al-Shamie dead outside the synagogue. The rapid police response, however, led to tragic consequences. Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police confirmed that one of the two victims, Adrian Daulby, 53, died from wounds consistent with a gunshot injury caused by police efforts to prevent Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue. Another man suffered non-life-threatening gunshot injuries in the same incident. "It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al-Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP's Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community," Watson stated.
The attack claimed the lives of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both members of Manchester’s Jewish community. Tributes poured in for the victims. Cravitz, described as a "gentle giant" and a beloved figure in the community, was remembered for his kindness and willingness to help others. "He had a heart of gold," said his former boss David Salzman, as reported by the Daily Mail. Daulby’s family paid tribute to his courage, saying, "Adrian Daulby was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others."
Al-Shamie’s background paints a picture of a troubled individual. Born in Syria, he moved to the UK as a child and was granted British citizenship in 2006. He grew up in Manchester, living with his mother and brothers after his father, Faraj Al-Shamie, a trauma doctor, moved to France following a divorce. According to insolvency records cited by the Daily Mail, Al-Shamie was struggling with debt and had taken out a 12-month Debt Relief Order in September 2024. Neighbors described him as a loner, often seen lifting weights in his garden and alternating between traditional Islamic dress and western clothes. "He was just a straightforward, ordinary lad, nothing would stand out to make you think he was," said Geoff Halliwell, a neighbor, to the BBC.
Despite his apparent isolation, Al-Shamie had a history of working as a tutor, teaching English and computer programming, though his son’s birth certificate from October 2024 lists his occupation as "full time father." After separating from his wife and young son, he reportedly moved back in with his mother and brother in Prestwich. A friend of the family told the Daily Mail, "The three boys were so good growing up, they were all very studious... The family was very open minded, when we knew them and they were not religious at all, maybe something has cracked in Jihad’s mind."
Greater Manchester Police stated that Al-Shamie may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology, though he was not known to counter-terrorism police and had not been referred to the government’s Prevent program. Investigators are also examining whether Al-Shamie was responsible for threatening emails sent in 2012 to Conservative politician John Howell after Howell defended Israel’s right to self-defense. One such email read, "It is people like you who deserve to die," as reported by The Telegraph.
Al-Shamie’s family swiftly condemned the attack. In a statement signed by his father, Faraj Al-Shamie, the family said, "The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us. The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort." The family also requested privacy during what they described as a "very difficult time."
However, controversy surrounded Faraj Al-Shamie after a Facebook post surfaced in which he appeared to praise the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The BBC verified the post, which was later removed, in which Faraj wrote, "Men like these prove that they are Allah's men on earth, regardless of who leads them, they are the true compass for men confident in their victory, even if their resources are few." This revelation added another layer of complexity to the family’s public distancing from the attack.
The Syrian British Consortium, Rethink Rebuild Society, and Syria Solidarity Campaign issued a joint statement emphasizing that no one within their community networks had known Al-Shamie personally. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed surprise at the attacker’s name, noting, "Actually, as a Muslim, I've never heard someone being called Jihad, but it is the name that he was born with - that has always been his name."
As the investigation continues, Greater Manchester Police have arrested two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism. The community has rallied in the wake of tragedy, with vigils held outside the synagogue and tributes paid to the bravery of those who tried to prevent further loss of life. Rabbi Daniel Walker, who led prayers at a vigil, praised the heroism of worshippers who blocked the attacker with their bodies, saying, "I'm joined here by many dignitaries for whose presence we are very, very grateful, but I just want to introduce you, first of all, to the young people who are standing here with me."
The events of October 2 have left Manchester’s Jewish community—and the city at large—grappling with grief, shock, and questions about how such violence could erupt in their midst. Yet, amid the sorrow, the resilience and solidarity of the community shine through, as they mourn their losses and seek answers in the aftermath of a day that will not soon be forgotten.
