The family of the suspected Manchester synagogue attacker said they “strongly condemn the heinous action” – despite a post from his father of imminent “bad news for Israel” days before.
Jihad Al-Shamie, named by police as the suspect in the terror attack, was shot dead following the incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall yesterday morning.
On behalf of the Al-Shamie family, his father, Faraj Al-Shamie, posted a statement to social media today expressing their “deep shock and sorrow”.
The Facebook post read: “The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us.
Jihad Al-Shamie was named as the suspect in the attack on the Manchester synagogue
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GB NEWS“The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.
“We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.”
The statement followed a now-deleted post, also by Mr Al-Shamie, on September 27, which read: “Bad news for Israel in the next few days.
“Unfortunately, no one can prevent what is written.”
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Faraj Al-Shamie posted a tribute on behalf of the family today
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The suspected attacker was a British national of Syrian descent who was granted citizenship in 2006 aged around 16, having entered Britain as a young child.
It is understood the 35-year-old’s name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records and he is not thought to have been under investigation.
His neighbours said he had lived in the Crumpsall area since around 2021.
One woman said: “We used to see him out in the garden working out, doing weights, press-ups.
In the now-deleted post, Faraj Al-Shamie said there was ‘bad news for Israel in the next few days’
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“He used to change his clothes. One day he would be wearing the full gown, to the floor, and the next jeans and pyjama bottoms.”
Al-Shamie was shot within seven minutes of police being alerted to the incident, which took place on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both died and three others remain in hospital with serious injuries after the attack.
One of the deceased victims and another who remains in hospital were accidentally shot by officers as they attempted to “bring the viscous attack to an end”, Greater Manchester Police has admitted.
The police investigation has continued in Crumpsall today
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Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said in a statement today: “Overnight, we have taken advice from the Home Office Pathologist ahead of full post mortem examinations scheduled for later today.
“The Home Office Pathologist has advised that he has provisionally determined, that one of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.
“It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and 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.
Tributes have been left near to the synagogue following the attack yesterday
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“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.”
It is thought the two gunshot victims were close together behind the door of the synagogue as worshippers “acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it launched an investigation into the incident “as is standard” following a fatal police shooting.