MANCHESTER SYNAGOGUE ATTACK SUSPECT NAMED BY POLICE AS JIHAD AL SHAMIE

Counter Terrorism Police have confirmed the name of the suspect in this morning’s Manchester synagogue attack as 35-year-old Jihad Al Shamie.

They say he is a British citizen of Syrian descent and that his name did not appear in any records of Prevent – the UK government’s counter-terrorism programme.

Police added that three people – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – have been arrested in connection to the attack. They are being held on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.

It is understood that Al-Shamie was a British national of Syrian descent, who entered the UK as a very young child, and was granted British citizenship in 2006 as a minor.

In a statement, Counter Terrorism Police said: “The investigation into the attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester this morning continues.

“We can confirm that three suspects are currently in custody and have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. They are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.

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“Scenes remain in place on White House Avenue, Crumpsall and Langley Crescent in Prestwich, which are also linked to the arrests.

“We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today’s attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie. He is a British citizen of Syrian descent.

“A suspicious device worn by the attacker during the incident has been assessed and was deemed not to be viable.

“Based on what we currently know, our records do not show any previous Prevent referrals relating to this individual.

“Two innocent men were sadly pronounced dead following the incident. Three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries. One sustained a stab wound and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack.

“The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker.

“We are working to formally identify those who have tragically been killed and provide support to their loved ones, in addition to the injured and the wider community.

“We are working to understand the motivation behind the attack as the investigation continues.”