Authorities verified that an assault at a Manchester synagogue in northern England on Thursday morning, which resulted in two fatalities and four injuries, is being investigated as a “terrorist incident.” The alleged perpetrator was killed by gunfire at the site.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor stated during a news conference held outside New Scotland Yard, London’s police headquarters, that “Based on current information, counterterrorism police have classified this as a terrorist incident. We will rigorously examine all intelligence and pursue every lead.”
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson confirmed in a subsequent press conference that the two deceased victims belonged to Greater Manchester’s Jewish community. The four individuals who sustained injuries “are still hospitalized with various serious wounds.”
Beyond the suspect’s fatal shooting by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) armed officers, two further individuals have been apprehended.
Taylor and Watson indicated that law enforcement is confident in knowing the assailant’s identity, but “due to on-site safety concerns,” they cannot disclose it at this time. According to Watson, the suspect wore a “vest resembling an explosive device.”
Police have urged the public to “maintain vigilance” while inquiries proceed and to report any suspicious activity.
What do we know about the attack at the Manchester synagogue?
Law enforcement initially received a report at 9:31 a.m. local time on Thursday morning concerning an incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, northern Manchester, where congregants were observing the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
a suspect was observed driving a vehicle toward members of the public. According to authorities, the vehicle’s driver “was then seen to assault individuals with a knife.” Armed police officers fatally shot the suspect at approximately 9:38 a.m., with paramedics arriving shortly afterward. Images circulating from the site seemingly depict the suspect on the ground, a knife visible nearby.
GMP initially stated that confirmation of the suspect’s death was pending “due to safety concerns regarding suspicious items on his person.” A bomb disposal unit was sent to the crime scene because the suspect was wearing a “vest that resembled an explosive device.” Authorities subsequently verified the suspect’s demise.
GMP confirmed in a statement to TIME that a single controlled explosion was carried out at the location to allow responders to access the suspect’s vehicle.
Police stated that “” were present at the synagogue for Yom Kippur, and expressed gratitude to the member of the public who observed the aggression and reacted promptly. This “enabled rapid intervention, consequently preventing the assailant from entering the synagogue.”
A helicopter belonging to the British Armed Force’s Special Air Service (SAS) was observed hovering above the crime scene. This aircraft, frequently dubbed “Blue Thunder,” is employed by the military for counter-terrorism operations.
The deployment of such a helicopter usually requires prior approval from government officials before a COBRA meeting, which U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other cabinet members are scheduled to attend on Thursday afternoon.
COBRA meetings are characterized as “high-level coordination and decision-making sessions during major or catastrophic emergencies.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the British royal family lead tributes in wake of attack
“I am horrified by the assault at a synagogue in Crumpsall [Greater Manchester]. The occurrence of this event on , renders it even more dreadful,” stated Starmer, who departed an early meeting in Denmark upon learning of the incident Thursday morning.
Starmer is set to preside over an emergency meeting upon his return to London and has ordered the deployment of “extra police resources” to synagogues nationwide following the attack. He asserted, “We will undertake every possible measure to ensure the safety of our Jewish community.”
King Charles III conveyed that both he and Queen Camilla are “profoundly shocked and grieved” by the assault.
“Our thoughts and prayers extend to all impacted by this dreadful event, and we deeply value the prompt response of the emergency services,” declared the British monarchy in a statement provided to TIME.
Prince William and Kate Middleton also expressed that they are “considering” the Jewish community in the aftermath of the “appalling” incident.
A statement from the royal couple read, “Our condolences are with the victims and the families affected by the horrific attack at Heaton Park Synagogue. The fact that this tragedy unfolded on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, renders it even more astounding. We are considering the entire community, alongside the emergency personnel who responded to this dreadful event.”
The Israeli embassy in the U.K. has denounced this violent act.
A statement from the embassy conveys, “The perpetration of such a violent act on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, within a place of worship and community, is deplorable and profoundly unsettling.”
“Today, we observed a despicable assault on our Jewish community on its most sacred day,” stated Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. “We denounce those accountable and will employ all resources at our disposal to ensure public safety.”
Zack Polanski, Green Party leader for England and Wales, affirmed that his party “supports the Jewish community and all those impacted.”
Polanski, who is Jewish and raised in Manchester, : “Many of us are deeply affected by today’s dreadful events, which occur amidst increasing antisemitism.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch “vile and disgusting,” asserting that Jewish families at the synagogue were “targets for aggression.”
She expressed, “My deepest sympathies go out to all who are injured and affected. I understand that many within our Jewish community will feel unsettled. They deserve reassurance that they are not isolated.”
