The individual responsible for the Manchester synagogue attack declared his allegiance to the Islamic State group in a phone call to emergency services, according to Counter Terrorism Policing North West. Jihad Al-Shamie contacted 999 shortly after the incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, taking responsibility for the assault and pledging allegiance to Islamic State.
Al-Shamie, aged 35, was fatally shot by police outside the synagogue in Manchester after carrying out a series of violent acts, including ramming a car into pedestrians, wielding a knife, and attempting to enter the building. Authorities suspect that his actions were motivated by Islamist ideology, leading them to classify the incident as a terrorist attack.
During the assault on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur, two congregation members, Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, lost their lives. Daulby was accidentally shot by law enforcement while trying to prevent Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue, resulting in serious injuries to three other individuals.
Following the attack, four suspects, including two men aged 30 and 32, and two women aged 46 and 61, were granted an extension of five days in police custody. An 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were released without further action. The authorities have not revealed the identities of the arrested individuals or their connection to Al-Shamie.
In related developments, a woman who had a relationship with Al-Shamie reported instances of abusive and controlling behavior. She disclosed that Al-Shamie concealed his existing marriage and child in Manchester, admitting his deception in messages to her. Al-Shamie’s father expressed shock and disassociation from the attack, extending condolences to the victims and their families.
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