The individual involved in the tragic car and knife attack near a Manchester synagogue last week reportedly declared allegiance to the Islamic State, officials stated.
Jihad al-Shami, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin, allegedly contacted emergency services to claim responsibility for the attack, where he subsequently pledged his loyalty to the Islamic State.
Deputy Chief Constable Rob Potts mentioned on Wednesday that a comprehensive assessment was conducted, revealing that al-Shami had not previously been reported to the Prevent program or identified by counter-terrorism authorities.
In response to the situation, the NFL took a moment to honor the victims of this horrific incident, which occurred on Yom Kippur, a significant day in Judaism.
Chief of Anti-Terrorism Police Headquarters, Lawrence Taylor, indicated that it was disclosed on October 3rd that al-Shami had been arrested on suspicion of rape prior to the attack and was out on bail at that time.
According to Potts, investigators believe that al-Shami’s actions were influenced by radical Islamist ideology, with the emergency call providing insight into his motives. However, he emphasized the need for a thorough review of all evidence to understand the full motivation behind the attack.
Al-Shami was shot and killed by police after he drove into pedestrians and assaulted them with a knife outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. He was reportedly carrying what looked like an explosive device, which later turned out to be a “hoax device” and was deemed non-functional.
The attack left two individuals, Adrian Dolby, 53, and Melvin Kravitz, 66, dead. Tragically, police later reported that one of the victims might have been accidentally shot by an officer responding to the scene, since al-Shami was not armed with a firearm.
Updates revealed that three people injured in the attack are still receiving hospital treatment. Meanwhile, authorities have arrested three men and three women on charges relating to the incitement of terrorist acts, as they explore the possibility of whether al-Shami acted independently.
Details about those arrested remain limited, and their connections to al-Shami have not been clarified. A court has allowed an additional five days for police to detain four of the suspects; however, two others were released without further action.
