The PM is in Manchester to pay tribute after yesterday’s terror attack on a synagogue. Greater Manchester Police say one of two people killed was mistakenly shot by officers during the response. Earlier, the home secretary confirmed more details about the suspect. Watch and follow live.
Friday 3 October 2025 11:24, UK
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The family of the suspect in the attack, who has been named as Jihad Al-Shamie, have now released a statement in the last few minutes, condemning the act.
“The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us,” the statement reported by Reuters reads. 
“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,” the suspect’s relatives wrote on social media. 
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.” 
The family also asked media outlets to “respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time and refrain from using this tragic event in any context that does not reflect the truth”.
They add that they pray for the swift recovery of any injured victims.
The statement is signed by “Faraj Al-Shamie, The Al-Shamie Family UK and Abroad”.
One of the victims killed in yesterday’s attack was shot mistakenly by officers during the armed response, Greater Manchester Police believe.
In a statement, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson says the force have taken advice from medical professionals overnight ahead of full post-mortem examinations 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,” he says.
“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. 
“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.”
GMP have also been informed one of the three victims still in hospital following the attack has also suffered a gunshot wound, but the injury is “mercifully not life-threatening”, the statement says. 
Both victims were believed to be close together behind the synagogue door when the attack took place.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with all of the families, and the wider community, impacted by this incident across Greater Manchester and beyond,” Sir Stephen adds.
The newly-named Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has described the Manchester synagogue terror attack as “horrific” and warned that “hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart”.
Dame Sarah is the first woman to take on the role.
She’s speaking live now – you can watch her address if you wish using our YouTube stream below…
Josh Aronson, a journalist, lives opposite the synagogue and witnessed the aftermath of the attack first-hand.
He’s been telling our lead UK news presenter Sarah-Jane Mee he will “never forget” the look of shock on the face of the congregation’s rabbi, Daniel Walker.
Walker usually “always has a look of steadfast loyalty” despite having “been through much”, Aronson says.
Walker was praised by witnesses as a “true hero” after the attack for leading his congregation to safety.
Watch the video below to hear Aronson share his memories of the victims – Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby – as well as a message to Keir Starmer as a Jewish Labour member.
Sir Keir Starmer was accompanied by Lady Victoria Starmer as he arrived at the Heaton Park synagogue in the last few moments, where yesterday’s attack happened.
David Lammy has promised increased support for victims and family members affected by the attack as he declared a major incident.
The deputy prime minister says in a statement he will enable those affected to have “vital emotional and practical support from the get-go” from the Independent Public Advocate.
This will include helping victims with subsequent investigations related to the attack, such as statutory inquiries and inquests.
“My thoughts are with those affected by this horrific attack and the Jewish Community. We stand together in the face of those who try to sow division in our country,” Lammy adds.
Sky News’ lead UK news presenter Sarah-Jane Mee spoke to Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, this morning.
She says her government had previously warned the British government that “antisemitism is out of control in the UK and not enough has been done”.
“The Jewish community in the UK is unsafe,” she says.
Haskel also says Britain is destroying its legacy as a refuge for Jews fleeing the Nazi regime during the Second World War and shares the experience of her own family in the UK.
Watch Haskel’s full remarks in the video below:
A new image of the synagogue attack suspect Jihad al Shamie has been released.
Sky News has verified the photo.
Al Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, came to the UK as a “small child” and was naturalised as a British citizen while still a child in the mid-2000s, the home secretary told Sky News this morning.
“For now, that is all we know of the attacker,” she added.
The Metropolitan Police has said a planned protest against the banning of Palestine Action will take police resources away from “where they are needed most”.
Organisers Defend Our Juries have planned the demonstration to be held in central London on Saturday.
“The horrific terrorist attack that took place in Manchester yesterday will have caused significant fear and concern in communities across the UK, including here in London,” the force says in a statement.
“Yet at a time when we want to be deploying every available officer to ensure the safety of those communities, we are instead having to plan for a gathering of more than 1,000 people in Trafalgar Square on Saturday in support of a terrorist organisation.
“By choosing to encourage mass law breaking on this scale, Defend Our Juries are drawing resources away from the communities of London at a time when they are needed most.
“We urge them to do the responsible thing and delay or cancel their plans.”
More details are emerging about the 35-year-old suspect, Jihad al Shamie.
He is thought to have lived in Prestwich, a town in Greater Manchester around two miles from the scene of the attack, as his name is linked to a property there.
Images taken this morning show police officers outside a property in Langley Crescent in the town, with nearby pathways cordoned off.
Members of a forensic team could also be seen arriving at the address.
Al Shamie was a British citizen of Syrian descent and his name did not appear in any records of Prevent – the UK government’s counter-terrorism programme.
He is understood to have entered the UK as a young child and been granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16.
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