The suspect who was shot by police following the attack at a synagogue in Manchester has died, bringing the confirmed death toll to three, according to the city’s police force, reports RTE.
Armed officers shot the man outside the synagogue located in the northwestern city shortly after the emergency was reported.
Two other individuals had already been confirmed dead, while three more remain in critical condition.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that a bomb squad had been dispatched to the location earlier today, and a loud, controlled detonation was carried out, reports RTE.
GMP said officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area of north Manchester after a witness reported a car being driven at pedestrians and a man—believed to be a security guard—being stabbed.
Authorities stated that they had activated “Plato,” the official national protocol used when police and emergency services are responding to a “marauding terror attack,” reports RTE.
In a statement, the police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and one man had been stabbed,” reports RTE.
A video circulated on social media and verified by Reuters showed police firing at a man within the synagogue grounds, while another man—wearing what appeared to be a traditional Jewish skullcap—was seen lying in a pool of blood.
The force said it had declared a major incident at 9.37am today.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the events, stating: “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific,” reports RTE.
It is understood the Prime Minister will cut short his attendance at a European leaders’ summit and return to the UK to chair a Cobra meeting in response to the incident at the synagogue in Greater Manchester.
A Cobra meeting is a high-level UK government response mechanism used during national emergencies or crises.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said the “immediate danger appears to be over” following reports of a “serious incident” in the Crumpsall area, north of Manchester.
Tánaiste Simon Harris offered his “deepest condolences and solidarity with all those affected by the horrific attack today on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester”, reports RTE.
“This appalling act is all the more repugnant given that it took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Our thoughts are also with the first responders and emergency services, as well as the wider community in Manchester, as they deal with this shocking event,” Mr Harris said, reports RTE.
“I will be in touch with my colleagues in the UK Government to express our deepest sympathies and support,” reports RTE.
Greater Manchester Police’s statement continued: “Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am.
“One man has been shot, believed to be the offender. Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public,” reports RTE.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident,” reports RTE.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) confirmed that emergency resources had been dispatched to the site.
In a statement, NWAS said: “Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
The stabbing incident occurred as the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, typically sees high attendance at synagogues and is observed with solemnity and fasting, reports RTE.
Dave Rich, of the Community Security Trust (CST) — a UK charity monitoring antisemitism — explained that the day is akin to Christmas for Christians, but observed with reflection rather than festivity.
The Israeli embassy in London strongly denounced the incident, describing the attack that left two people dead as “abhorrent and deeply distressing” in a post on social media.
He said: “Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It’s a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day. There’s always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals,” reports RTE.
King Charles said he and the queen were “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community”, reports RTE.
In a statement posted on X, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “I am horrified by the news of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester today, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services. I am being kept updated by Greater Manchester Police. I urge people to follow the advice of the emergency services,” reports RTE.
The Israeli embassy in London condemned the attack, calling the act which left two people dead “abhorrent and deeply distressing” in a social media post.
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