A TERRORIST shot dead after two people died in a rampage outside a synagogue has been named for the first time.
The horror attack unfolded outside Manchester’s Heaton Park synagogue today on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

A suspected knifeman who was shot dead by cops after unleashing a ‘terror’ rampage which left two dead[/caption]
The man was shot dead while trying to gain access to the place of worship[/caption]
The rampage, which police are treating as terror-related, saw two people tragically die with four remaining in hospital in a serious condition.
In a new update the force said: “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.”
The suspect was shot dead by armed officers at 9:38am while trying to gain entry into the synagogue on Yom Kippur.
Police have now named the suspected attacker for the first time following the terrifying rampage.
The suspect’s name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.
However, further checks are being carried out to see if any of his details appear anywhere in records of other investigations.
Shocking aftermath pictures showed what was believed to be a bomb belt and a knife near the man.
However, cops have now revealed that the device the suspect was wearing was “not viable”.
Operation Plato – cops’ response to marauding terrorist attacks – has now been stood down, but it remains a major incident.
Shortly after the attack, counter terror officers swooped on a property near the synagogue, leading two men away in handcuffs.
The terrorist rammed his car into the gates of the synagogue before getting out and reportedly starting to “stab anyone near him.”
In video shared on social media, an onlooker could be heard saying that the suspect “has got a bomb on him” and appeared to be trying to press a button to detonate it.
“He’s going to blow himself up, he’s trying to press the button,” the person is heard to say – before there was the sound of a gunshot and the person fell to the ground.
After police shot the man dead “suspicious items” were found on him and a bomb disposal squad was called in.
A white lorry marked “Bomb Disposal” arrived at the scene and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue.
A “loud bang” was heard, which police have confirmed was from specialist officers gaining entry to the suspect’s vehicle “as a precaution.”
Police have since confirmed that the attack was declared a terrorist incident and an investigation into the horror is being led by Counter Terrorist Officers.

The attacker was armed with a knife and an ‘explosives device’[/caption]
Police said they found ‘suspicious items’ on the attacker and called in a bomb squad[/caption]
Armed officers swarmed the scene of the attack[/caption]
Two other men were led away in handcuffs following raids by counter terror cops on nearby homes[/caption]
Speaking at a press conference earlier today Chief Constable Stephen Watson branded today’s attack as a “horrific incident.”
He said: “My thoughts, and those of my officers and staff, are with the families of the loved ones who have been affected by today’s horrific incident, on what is the Jewish community’s holiest day: Yom Kippur.
“This has been officially declared as a terrorist incident, and the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorist Police.”
He went on to confirm two other individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack and said enquiries are ongoing.
“We can confirm that two members of our Jewish community have sadly died as a result of this attack.
“Following a rapid response, armed officers from Greater Manchester Police intercepted the offender and he was fatally shot by officers, within 7 minutes of the initial call”, he added.
What we know so far…
- Two people have been killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester and four others are seriously injured
- A witness said a car was driven towards members of the public and a man had been stabbed
- Counter-terror police have confirmed the attack is being treated as a terror incident
- The suspect was shot dead 9.38am by armed police
- A controlled explosion was heard at the police cordon
- Hospitals were placed on lockdown and patients were asked to stay away unless it was an emergency
Sir Keir Starmer blasted the attack after he quickly flew back from Denmark early to chair Cobra.
Speaking from Downing Street, the PM condemned the “terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews”, committed by “a vile individual”.
Starmer said the Jewish community in Britain will see a “more visible police presence” as he promised to do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve”.
Worshippers inside the building at the time of the horrifying attack reportedly barricaded the doors in a bid to save themselves from the rampaging attacker.
An eyewitness said prayers had started when the horror unfolded but Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm and led the congregation to safety with the help of others.
The man added: “They are true heroes.”
A delivery driver, who gave his name as Gareth, told BBC Radio Manchester: “The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in the [synagogue].
“And then within seconds the police arrived. They gave him a couple of warnings.
“He didn’t listen, so they opened fire. He went down on the floor, and then he started getting back up, and then they shot him again.”
A man – believed to be a security guard – is one of the victims.
What is a Cobra meeting?
A Cobra meeting involves a cross-departmental committee that comes together to respond to national emergencies.
Its aim is to make fast, effective decisions in a crisis and coordinate the response of the central government.
The committee brings together senior government ministers and civil servants, security and intelligence officials, military chiefs and leaders of the emergency services and councils, depending on the nature of the crisis.
The Prime Minister usually chairs the meetings, which are held in the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms and are most commonly take place in Briefing Room A – leading to them being referred to as Cobra.
Cobra meetings are called at times of national crisis, owing to events either at home or abroad.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
Large numbers of Jewish people attend synagogues and fast on this day.
Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed.
“GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender.
“Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.”

Members of the army unloaded a bomb disposal robot at the scene[/caption]
Children were at the scene of the horrifying attack[/caption]
The attack sparked a massive emergency services response[/caption]