Armed police made a dramatic entrance at the residence of the synagogue terrorist in Manchester.
Footage captured the counter-terror unit wielding a chainsaw as they raided the home of 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, nearly seven hours after the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue incident.
Al-Shamie was identified as the assailant who drove his vehicle into pedestrians and then initiated a knife attack on worshippers at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall. He was fatally shot within seven minutes of the initial emergency call to law enforcement.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, lost their lives in the tragic event, while three individuals remain hospitalized with severe injuries. The assault occurred during a gathering at the synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police disclosed that one of the deceased was shot by officers.
An onlooker witnessed armed officers entering the suspect’s residence in Prestwich, Manchester post the dreadful attack.
The 35-year-old man, who preferred not to be named, recounted, “I was visiting my mother across the street. I saw several individuals in black attire armed with guns rushing in.
“They were instructing everyone to get down, but I couldn’t see inside. They remained inside for a considerable period.”
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old woman stated, “I was working at my desk when they arrived with dogs and firearms. They didn’t utter a word, maintaining complete silence. Marked vehicles and a van were present.
“It struck me as unusual. This occurred immediately after the incident was classified as a terror attack.”
Another neighbor, aged 32, observed armed officers and dogs arriving around 4:18 pm the previous day.
According to Greater Manchester Police, Jihad Al-Shamie was a British citizen of Syrian origin, who reportedly arrived in the UK as a young child. He obtained British citizenship in 2006 at approximately 16 years old.
Al-Shamie is believed to have resided in Prestwich, close to the incident location, and his name is associated with a property in the area.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed three individuals had been arrested in connection with the investigation and labeled it a “terrorist incident.”
Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were detained on suspicion of involvement in acts of terror related to the synagogue attack.
Adrian Daulby’s family expressed their devastation over his tragic demise.
In a statement on Facebook, his niece Demi, 30, conveyed, “As Adrian’s family, we are devastated by his loss.
“During this grieving period, we request privacy as we mourn and seek closure. We appreciate your understanding and consideration.”
Others remembered him as a “kind-hearted soul.” Sarah Smethurst remarked, “Condolences for your loss, he was a truly gentle man who cared for my children and others. A beautiful soul that will be dearly missed.”
Keir Starmer pledged to enhance police presence at synagogues nationwide, emphasizing the deployment of “additional police resources” to ensure the safety of the Jewish community.