On the morning of October 2, 2025, the quiet suburb of Crumpsall in Manchester, England, was shattered by a violent attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. As worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—a 35-year-old British man of Syrian descent, Jihad al-Shamie, launched a deadly car-ramming and stabbing assault that left two people dead and three others seriously injured. The incident has since sent shockwaves through Manchester’s Jewish community and raised urgent questions about the evolving threat of extremist violence in the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from Counter Terrorism Policing North West, al-Shamie called emergency services during the initial stages of the attack to declare his allegiance to ISIS (Islamic State), explicitly stating his motive as he carried out the violence. "We can confirm that, in the initial stages of the attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, a call was made by the attacker to police, claiming to pledge allegiance to the so-called Islamic State," a spokesperson told Al Jazeera. This chilling declaration echoed the tactics promoted in ISIS propaganda, which has encouraged followers to use vehicles and knives in attacks and to publicly announce their allegiance before death.
Witnesses and police reports reveal that al-Shamie had attended the synagogue about fifteen minutes before the attack, acting suspiciously but leaving after being confronted by security. His behavior was not reported to authorities at the time. He returned around 9:30 a.m., driving a car into a group of congregants gathering outside, crashing into a wall, and then emerging from the vehicle wearing what appeared to be an explosive belt and wielding a knife. The belt was later determined to be a hoax device, described by Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts as "non-viable." Potts added, "Minutes after the first call was made to the police and as firearms officers were making their way to the scene, al-Shamie called 999 claiming responsibility for the attack. He also pledged allegiance to Islamic State." (The New York Times)
The rapid response from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) firearms officers was critical in preventing further casualties. Officers shot and killed al-Shamie outside the synagogue as he attempted to force his way inside. Tragically, in the chaos of the confrontation, one of the two fatalities—Adrian Daulby, 53—was likely accidentally shot by police as worshippers barricaded the doors to keep the attacker out. The other victim, Melvin Cravitz, 66, died as a result of the initial assault. Three other men were hospitalized with serious injuries, and another bystander was also struck by police gunfire but survived.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson of GMP addressed the difficult reality of the situation, stating, "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. It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end." (CNN)
The attack has prompted a wave of shock, grief, and fear in Manchester’s Jewish community and beyond. The timing—on Yom Kippur—has heightened concerns about the safety of Jewish communities in the U.K., especially amid a global rise in antisemitic incidents. The event has also reignited debate over the effectiveness of Britain’s counterterrorism strategies.
One of the most troubling aspects of the case is that Jihad al-Shamie was not previously known to counterterrorism police. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts confirmed, "We have conducted assessments across our systems, and I can reiterate that Al-Shamie had never been referred to the Prevent program, nor was otherwise known to Counter Terrorism Policing." (Fox News) The Prevent program is the U.K. government’s main initiative for intervening with individuals at risk of radicalization. Al-Shamie’s absence from counterterrorism watchlists raises uncomfortable questions about how authorities identify and monitor potential threats.
Further complicating the picture, police revealed that al-Shamie had a prior criminal record and was on bail for an alleged rape at the time of the attack, though he had not been charged. This detail has intensified scrutiny of bail and monitoring procedures for individuals with pending serious allegations. Potts also noted that while the 999 call and ISIS-style tactics pointed strongly to extremist Islamist ideology as a motivating factor, "this assessment continues, and there may be further drivers and motivations identified."
The investigation into the attack’s wider context is ongoing. Police arrested six individuals—three men and three women—in the Greater Manchester area on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, specifically the "commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism." As of October 4, 2025, four of those detained remained in custody, while two were released without charge. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of those arrested or clarified their connection, if any, to al-Shamie. According to The Associated Press, a court granted police five more days to hold the four remaining suspects for further questioning.
The Manchester attack is not occurring in a vacuum. On the same day that details of the synagogue assault were released, a separate trial began in the city of Preston for two men accused of plotting ISIS-inspired attacks against the Jewish community in Greater Manchester. Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu outlined the alleged plan: "They planned to kill as many members of the Jewish community as they could. Their plan was to get the weapons and ammunition and identify a mass gathering of Jewish people whom they could attack." (The New York Times) Police have emphasized that there is no connection between the trial and the Crumpsall synagogue attack, but the timing has deepened anxieties among local Jewish residents.
Broader concerns about the resurgence of ISIS and other terror groups were discussed on the October 8, 2025 episode of "The Hunt" with WTOP National Security Correspondent JJ Green. Dr. Hans Jakob-Schindler, senior director at the Counter Extremism Project, highlighted the growing threat posed by ISIS, noting how its propaganda continues to inspire attacks far from the group’s original strongholds.
In the aftermath, the Manchester community has been left to process a cascade of emotions—grief for the victims, pride in the rapid response of security forces, and uncertainty about the future. As police continue their investigation, the attack stands as a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threat posed by extremist violence. For many, it also underscores the need for vigilance, improved intelligence, and a renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable communities from hate-fueled attacks.
As the city mourns Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, and as three injured men recover in hospital, Manchester’s resolve is being tested. The events of Yom Kippur 2025 will not soon be forgotten, nor will the urgent questions they have raised about security, community, and the fight against terrorism.
