Police in Manchester have intensified their investigation into the deadly attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, making yet another arrest this week as the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the October 2 tragedy. On November 27, 2025, counter-terrorism officers swooped on Manchester Airport, detaining a 31-year-old man as he arrived on an inbound flight. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism linked to the synagogue attack that shocked the local community and reverberated across the UK.
According to The Sun and the Manchester Evening News, this arrest marks the seventh person detained in connection with the ongoing investigation. The suspect remains in custody, and on November 29, police secured a warrant of further detention, allowing them to hold him for questioning until December 4. Authorities are making use of the extended detention period to probe the suspect’s potential involvement and connections, as they piece together the complex web surrounding the incident.
The attack itself was carried out by Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Syrian-born UK citizen, who stormed the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall on October 2. Al-Shamie fatally knifed two worshippers—Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby—before being shot dead by responding police officers. Three other men suffered serious injuries in the attack but, after being treated in hospital, have since been released. The incident left the congregation and the wider Jewish community reeling, prompting an outpouring of grief, solidarity, and calls for greater security at places of worship.
In the immediate aftermath, police arrested three individuals—a woman in her 60s and two men in their 30s—on suspicion of failing to disclose information relevant to the case. A 30-year-old man, arrested on October 9 under Section 38B of the Terrorism Act 2000 for failing to disclose information, remains on bail as the investigation continues. The authorities have not ruled out further arrests as they pursue every lead in their quest to understand the full scope of the attack and any supporting network that may have facilitated it.
As details about the perpetrator’s background have emerged, a more complex portrait of Jihad Al-Shamie has come to light. According to The Sun, Al-Shamie was described by a former friend as a “rebellious wild child” who often clashed with his parents. His teenage years were marked by a heavy cannabis habit—reportedly smoking around two grams of strong skunk daily—and an obsession with the violent video game Street Fighter. The friend recounted, “He would spend a lot of time practising Street Fighter, like obsessively practising this computer game. He was very good at it, to the point where he competed a couple of times in competitions.”
This fixation on gaming and substance use led Al-Shamie to drop out of Liverpool John Moores University in 2011, just a year into his English, media, and cultural studies degree. “He was a bit of a rebellious wild child. He got into a lot of trouble with his parents. He used to smoke cannabis from an early age,” recalled the friend in an interview with The Sun. Al-Shamie’s early life, marked by alienation and behavioral issues, has become a focal point for investigators and community leaders seeking to understand what drove him to commit such a heinous act.
The attack itself has left a deep scar on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation and the broader Manchester Jewish community. The deaths of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby have been mourned widely, with tributes pouring in for both men. Community members have described them as devoted worshippers and pillars of the congregation. The three other men who were seriously injured have since been discharged from hospital, but the psychological wounds—both for them and for the congregation—are likely to endure much longer.
In the weeks since the attack, law enforcement has worked tirelessly to reassure the public and prevent further violence. The arrest at Manchester Airport underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the threat of terrorism and their commitment to pursuing every possible lead. According to Manchester Evening News, police have emphasized that the public’s safety remains their top priority, and they are urging anyone with information to come forward.
While the investigation continues, questions linger about the factors contributing to Al-Shamie’s radicalization and the potential for others to be involved. The pattern of arrests—including the most recent one at the airport—suggests that authorities are exploring the possibility of a broader network or support system. The fact that a warrant of further detention was granted indicates the complexity of the case and the need for meticulous examination of evidence and possible connections.
The attack has also reignited debate about security at places of worship and the challenges of preventing lone-wolf attacks or those involving small, loosely organized groups. Community leaders have called for increased vigilance and resources to protect vulnerable sites, while also stressing the importance of unity and resilience in the face of terror. The incident has prompted a renewed focus on counter-terrorism measures, including intelligence-sharing and community engagement, as authorities seek to strike a balance between security and civil liberties.
For the families of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, and for those who survived the attack, the road to healing will be long and difficult. The community continues to gather in remembrance, drawing strength from shared faith and solidarity. As the investigation unfolds, many hope that answers will emerge—not only about the events of October 2 but also about how to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As of now, the 31-year-old suspect remains in custody, and police have until December 4 to decide on further action. The outcome of this phase of the investigation could prove pivotal in unraveling the full story behind one of Manchester’s most shocking recent acts of violence. The city, meanwhile, remains watchful, determined not to let fear define it, but resolved to remember those lost and to protect its communities against future threats.
