Jihad al Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, has been identified as the terrorist responsible for the attack on a Manchester synagogue, according to a breaking report from PolitlcsUK at 9:18 PM UTC on October 2nd, 2025. Counter Terror Police confirmed that no previous Prevent referrals were on record for al Shamie, and that three people—two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s—have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism. In the past 26 minutes, police also stated that three other men remain hospitalized with serious injuries resulting from the attack. One man sustained a stab wound, another was struck by the car used in the attack, and a third presented himself at the hospital with an injury possibly sustained during the apprehension of the attacker, according to PolitlcsUK. PolitlcsUK also reported that the Manchester terrorist, identified as Jihad al Shamie, has an X (formerly Twitter) account where his profile picture is an AK47. Separately, Keir Starmer stated via X at 9:18 PM UTC that the attack targeted Jews because they are Jews and vowed to guarantee them the security they deserve. On October 2nd, 2025, the suspect in the Manchester attack was reportedly killed by security staff, according to the Daily Mail as cited in previous reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously expressed condolences to the UK's Jewish community, stating, "Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded." He also issued a warning that "weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism," asserting that "only strength and unity can defeat it." Protests have been ongoing in London, with a violent demonstration reported at the gates of 10 Downing Street just after 8:38 PM UTC and continuing demonstrations on Whitehall in Westminster. Earlier on October 2nd, protests on Whitehall saw demonstrators breach a police cordon and clash with officers. Simultaneously, a demonstration began in Manchester, where attendees observed a minute of silence for individuals reportedly kidnapped while sailing to Gaza. Three individuals identified as members of the 'Kingdom of Kubala' were detained by London Metropolitan Police at Limehouse DLR Station around 5:00 PM UTC following a police operation. Earlier in the day, London Euston station experienced a brief evacuation due to a suspicious item before reopening around 3:00 PM UTC.
