- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 09 Oct 2025 08:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
United Kingdom counterterror police have confirmed that the man behind last week’s deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue called emergency services to declare he was “acting for the so-called Islamic State” while carrying out the assault.
“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,” said a spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing North West on Wednesday. Authorities stressed that the full circumstances and motivation behind the attack remain under investigation.
The attacker, identified as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, launched his attack on October 2, during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. He drove a car into worshippers outside the synagogue in the Crumpsall area, then began stabbing victims with a knife before being confronted by armed officers.
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Deadly Rampage Leaves Two Worshippers Killed
Al-Shamie’s assault killed Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53. In a tragic twist, police later confirmed that Daulby was accidentally shot by an officer while he and other worshippers were attempting to barricade the synagogue to prevent the attacker from entering.
Three other men were hospitalised with serious injuries following the rampage. Armed police shot al-Shamie dead at the scene after he seemed to be wearing a hoax explosive belt. The device was later discovered to be a hoax and non-viable and intended to increase fear.
Counterterror police disclosed that al-Shamie called 999 shortly after crashing his car into pedestrians and slamming into a wall. His claims of allegiance to ISIS are now a pivotal element of the ongoing investigation.
Arrests, Releases And Ongoing Probe
Following the attack, six suspects were detained on suspicion of terrorism-related offences such as "commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism." Two of them, a man and a woman, were released the next Sunday. The other four were eventually released without being charged.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts of Counter Terrorism Policing North West explained that while the arrests did not result in charges, the investigation was still ongoing. “This does not mean our investigation has concluded,” he said.
Police have also reiterated that al-Shamie was not on their radar before the attack. He had never been referred to the government’s Prevent programme and was not known to counterterrorism officers.