UK Synagogue Attack: 2 Killed, Suspect Shot Dead

A terrorist was shot dead by police after killing two people in a car and knife attack outside a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Counter-terrorism police said two people had been arrested following the attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.

Four other people were injured, either by the car or by the stabbing, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

What happened?

Officers were alerted at 9.31am when a 999 caller said a man had been stabbed and a car had been driven towards members of the public at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

At 9.34am, firearms officers were deployed and police received further reports that a security guard had been attacked with a knife.

At 9.37am, police declared “Plato”, meaning that the incident was considered a possible terror attack.

Seven minutes after the first 999 call, police officers fired multiple shots, hitting the male suspect.

Footage circulating on social media shows two armed officers shouting at the suspect as he lies on the ground after being shot.

The two firearms officers are then seen shouting at members of the public to “get back, he has got a bomb”.

Moments later, the suspect tries to get to his feet before officers shout a warning and gunshots ring out.

Another man, believed to be a security guard, can be seen lying on the ground at the entrance to the synagogue, severely injured, with blood pooling on the pavement around him.

Paramedics arrived at 9.41am and began treating people for stabbing and vehicle injuries. The condition of the victims was not yet known.

By 11am, the bomb disposal unit was at the scene, around four miles north of central Manchester.

Who was the attacker and who has been arrested?

A photographed has emerged of the suspected terrorist wearing what appears to be a bulletproof vest and possible bomb.

It is not clear if the device strapped to the alleged attacker was a viable explosive device but a bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene.

The national head of counter-terrorism policing declared that they are aware of the identity of the attacker.

Asst Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we are unable to confirm at this stage.”

GMP confirmed that the attacker is dead.

The force said: “We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP firearms officers.”

Mr Taylor also confirmed that two people had been arrested over the attack.

“We have also made two further arrests, and based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident.”

Why was this area targeted?

Around 30,000 Jews live in Greater Manchester, predominantly north of the city centre in areas such as Crumpsall, Prestwich and Bury. It is the largest Jewish community in the UK outside of London, dating back to the late 18th century.

Heaton Park synagogue has been a place of worship for an Orthodox Jewish congregation since it was founded in 1925.

The suspect is believed to have deliberately carried out the terror attack against worshippers at the synagogue.

Sir Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of GMP, has thanked security staff and worshippers from the congregation for their bravery.

He said: “At this time, we know that a car was driven directly at members of the public outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, in Manchester.

“The driver of the car was seen then to attack people with a knife. He was wearing on his body a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device.

“There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.”

Asst Commissioner Taylor said: “Those who have been killed and injured are at the forefront of our minds, as are their families, friends, and all of those who love them.

“An attack on our Jewish community today on Yom Kippur is devastating. Communities across the UK would normally be marking this holy day.”

Why is Yom Kippur significant?

Yom Kippur is the day of atonement. It is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, meaning the synagogue was likely busier than usual.

Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement, saying he was “appalled” by the attack and was on his way home from an EU event in Copenhagen to attend an emergency meeting.

He said: “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.”

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Opposition, said in a post on X: “The murders in Manchester shock us all. Jews murdered simply for being Jews. That should not be the UK of 2025. But it is.

“On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews take time for introspection. To ask themselves – where have we gone wrong in the past, and what do we need to do to be better in the future.

“These are questions we urgently need to ask ourselves as a nation.

“Today’s murders raise new questions. And they will require new answers.”