🔗 Share this article Manchester Jewish House of Worship Attack Victims Identified as Home Secretary Says Attacker Was Unknown to Police The two individuals fatally wounded in Thursday's violent incident on a synagogue in the northern English city have been named as fifty-three-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, authorities confirmed. Local law enforcement said formal identification is yet to take place but their relatives have been notified and specialist support staff are in contact. Brief but Violent Attack Unfolds The victims were killed when an perpetrator used a vehicle to ram into the grounds of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in north Manchester, then stabbed worshippers in a six-minute rampage that concluded when armed officers fired upon him. Additional individuals were seriously injured in the violent incident on Judaism's holiest day, the holiest day in the Hebrew year. Perpetrator Identified Police identified the attacker on Thursday night as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Middle Eastern origin. Investigating authorities revealed that three other people – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – had been detained “on suspicion of planning, preparation and instigation of terrorist activities”. Government Comments The home secretary has confirmed that the individual who perpetrated the violent incident in the region was not known to the police. “In terms of the attacker, this individual was unknown to the security services,” said the Home Secretary. “The individual was obviously been fatally wounded at the scene, but the official inquiry will now continue at pace.” Postmortem examinations of the deceased – both of whom are from Crumpsall – will take place later on Friday. Heightened Security Measures The security service and counter-terrorism police will function at a heightened state of alert in the near future, indicating apprehension that the recent violent incident may be replicated elsewhere. Security presence at Jewish worship centers across the country is to be enhanced. Jewish Population Impact Feelings of security in the Britain's Jewish population have deteriorated significantly in the recent period, according to the most comprehensive survey of UK Jewish residents. The investigation found 35% of Jews felt unsafe in the UK in 2025, compared with 9% in two years prior. We'll bring you the most recent information on this story as we receive them.