On a crisp October morning in Manchester, the Jewish community gathered at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. What should have been a day of solemn reflection and prayer turned into one of tragedy and horror, as a violent terror attack unfolded just outside the synagogue’s gates. The scars of that day have not yet faded, and the investigation into the attack continues to send ripples through the city and beyond.
According to AP and corroborated by BBC News, on October 2, 2025, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Syrian-born British citizen, launched a brutal assault on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area of Manchester. Al-Shamie drove his Kia Picanto into security staff and the synagogue’s external gates, targeting worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur. In a chilling escalation, he emerged from his car wielding a knife and wearing what appeared to be a fake suicide belt, attempting to force his way into the building.
Members of the congregation acted quickly. As Al-Shamie tried to batter his way through the doors, worshippers, including Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, barricaded themselves inside, holding the doors shut in a desperate bid to prevent further bloodshed, as detailed by BBC News and The Guardian. But the violence had already exacted a heavy toll. Melvin Cravitz, a father of three, was stabbed multiple times by Al-Shamie. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Cravitz died from his wounds in hospital. The inquest later confirmed that he had suffered multiple knife wounds.
The chaos outside the synagogue quickly drew an armed police response. During the attempt to neutralize the attacker, a stray bullet fired by an officer penetrated the synagogue door and fatally struck Adrian Daulby in the chest. Both men’s deaths left a profound void in their families and the community. As Rabbi Daniel Walker later told the BBC, "They were both very, very special men. Adrian was a very quiet man—a man of great dignity, always with a smile, always kind, very much loved by his family and his neighbours. Melvin was also a wonderful man—a family man."
Three other men sustained serious injuries in the attack and were treated in hospital, according to The Times of Israel and The Independent. The incident, which unfolded on a day meant for atonement and peace, has been described as the most lethal antisemitic attack in Britain in modern times, as reported by The Jewish Chronicle.
Al-Shamie, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, was shot dead by police at the scene. The attack sent shockwaves through the Jewish community and prompted an immediate, large-scale counterterrorism investigation led by Greater Manchester Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West.
In the days and weeks following the attack, police made a series of arrests as part of their ongoing investigation. Initially, six people were detained in the greater Manchester area in connection with the incident. Five of them were later released without charge, while a 30-year-old man arrested on October 9 on suspicion of failing to disclose information under the Terrorism Act 2000 remains on bail, as confirmed by BBC News, The Independent, and The Times of Israel.
The investigation took a significant turn on November 27, 2025, when police arrested a 31-year-old man at Manchester Airport. The man, who had arrived on an inbound flight, was detained on suspicion of commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism, according to statements from Greater Manchester Police and reported by AP and BBC News. This latest arrest brings the total number of people detained in connection with the attack to seven.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who oversees Counter Terrorism Policing North West, emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation and the importance of community cooperation. "Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again appeal for anyone with information that they think could assist our enquiries to please come forward," Potts said, as quoted by The Independent and The Guardian. He also stressed the need to identify and support anyone who witnessed the incident or its immediate aftermath, ensuring they have access to all available welfare options.
The families of the victims and those who survived serious injuries have been kept informed about developments in the case. Police have repeatedly urged witnesses and anyone with relevant information to contact them, either through the Major Incident Public Portal or by phone, highlighting the critical role the public plays in supporting the investigation.
The attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue has not only left a deep wound in Manchester's Jewish community but has also reignited concerns about antisemitic violence in Europe. As The Times of Israel noted, the incident stands out as one of the worst antisemitic attacks on the continent since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023, which triggered a global spike in antisemitic incidents. The context of this attack, occurring amidst rising tensions and fears, has only amplified calls for vigilance and solidarity among communities and authorities alike.
The synagogue itself has become a symbol of both loss and resilience. Rabbi Walker’s words capture the enduring impact of the tragedy: the empty seats where Cravitz and Daulby once sat serve as a daily reminder of the lives lost and the bravery shown in the face of terror.
While the investigation presses on—with seven arrests and ongoing efforts to piece together the full scope of the attack and any potential accomplices—Manchester’s Jewish community continues to mourn and to heal. Police remain steadfast in their appeal for information, determined to bring clarity and justice to those affected. For now, the events of October 2, 2025, remain a stark reminder of the threats faced by minority communities and the importance of unity in confronting hate-fueled violence.
As the city moves forward, the hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to greater security, understanding, and support for all communities—ensuring that such horrors are never repeated.
