The suspect in the deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester, Jihad Al-Shamie, allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a call to emergency dispatchers. Authorities confirmed the call was part of the assessment of his motives, though further investigation is needed to determine the full context of the attack. The incident occurred on Yom Kippur, with two congregants killed and others injured, and a police officer accidentally shot a victim during the response.
Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, reportedly called emergency dispatchers to claim responsibility for the attack before pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts emphasized that while the call is part of the evidence, additional information is required to fully understand the motive. The Prevent program, a U.K. government initiative aimed at intervening with individuals susceptible to radicalization, was not involved in Al-Shamie’s case, according to Potts.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, noted that Al-Shamie was on bail at the time of the attack after being arrested on suspicion of rape. The attack, which took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, resulted in the deaths of two congregants, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who were reportedly shot during the confrontation with officers. Potts stated that it was likely one of the victims was accidentally shot by police who were rushing to stop the attacker, as Al-Shamie did not have a gun on him.
Following the attack, police arrested three men and three women on suspicion of participating in terrorism-related activities. The suspects have not been identified, and police have not revealed their ties, if any, to Al-Shamie. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities cautioning that further motives and drivers may be identified as the case evolves.
While the attack has sparked national mourning, particularly on Yom Kippur, a day of solemn reflection in Judaism, the government has maintained a stance of thorough investigation and counterterrorism measures. The incident underscores the complexities of addressing radicalization and the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such acts.