England: One of the two men killed in a car and knife attack on a synagogue in Manchester appears to have been accidentally shot by police, authorities said on Friday. Worshippers had tried to stop the attacker from entering the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.

Police confirmed that Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both members of the local Jewish community, died in the assault. Three others remain hospitalised in serious condition, including one who appears to have suffered a gunshot wound. Another sustained a stab wound, and a third was struck by the car driven by the attacker.

Timeline of the attack

At 9:31 a.m., police were called to the synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, by a member of the public reporting a car being driven toward pedestrians and a stabbing.

By 9:34 a.m., officers were on site. Worshippers had barricaded themselves inside the synagogue to prevent the assailant from entering.

At 9:37 a.m., police declared the national code word — Plato — confirming a “marauding terror attack” was underway.

At 9:38 a.m., the attacker was shot dead by police. His explosives belt was later found to be fake.

Police response and investigation

The suspect, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent who entered the U.K. as a young child and became a citizen in 2006, was killed by police seven minutes after ramming a car into pedestrians and attacking them with a knife. Authorities are unsure whether Al-Shamie’s name is his birth name, as it translates to “the Syrian” in English.

Greater Manchester Police chief Stephen Watson said a pathologist had provisionally determined that one casualty had a gunshot wound, likely a “tragic and unforeseen consequence” of police action. Both victims were reportedly close together behind the synagogue door when worshippers acted bravely to block the attacker.

The attack is being investigated as terrorism. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Al-Shamie was not previously known to police or Prevent, the counterterror programme. “It’s too early to say” if he acted alone or as part of a cell, she added.

Three people — two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s — have been arrested on suspicion of preparing or committing acts of terrorism.

Community and political reactions

The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called it the result of “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred” on streets and online. He added: “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who visited the synagogue with his wife Victoria, described it as “a dreadful attack, a terrorist attack to inflict fear. Attacking Jews because they are Jews. It’s really important today that the whole country comes together, people of all faiths and no faith, stand in support and solidarity with our Jewish community.”

King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.”

Anglican bishop Sarah Mullally, named Friday as the next leader of the Church of England, said “hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart.” Religious and political leaders across Britain condemned the attack and pledged reassurance to the Jewish community.

Attacker’s background and neighbourhood response

Neighbours in Prestwich, a Manchester suburb a few miles from the synagogue, said Al-Shamie’s family had lived in the house for years. Several described seeing him lifting weights and exercising in the backyard. Geoff Halliwell, a nearby resident, said he appeared to be “a straightforward, ordinary lad.”

The attacker’s family issued a statement condemning the “heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.”

Rising antisemitism and protests

Recorded antisemitic incidents in the U.K. have risen sharply since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza, according to the Community Security Trust. More than 1,500 incidents were reported in the first half of the year, the second-highest six-month total on record.

Some politicians and religious leaders suggested pro-Palestinian demonstrations have contributed to spreading hatred, citing chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Others, including Jews who support the protests, argue they seek a ceasefire and release of hostages.

Mirvis urged authorities to “get a grip on these demonstrations. They are dangerous.” Mahmood said 40 people were arrested at protests following Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, calling it “dishonourable” that protests continued after the Manchester attack. Police in London also urged organisers to cancel a planned protest supporting the banned group Palestine Action, but organisers refused, saying “cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win.”

Extra police officers have been deployed in Manchester and other Jewish sites to provide reassurance through the weekend.