What person was the city of Manchester Jewish house of worship attacker?

Jihad Al-Shamie
Jihad Al-Shamie seldom spoke with his local residents, a local said.

Information continue to emerge about the life of Jihad Al-Shamie, understood to be a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin.

Al-Shamie apparently came to the UK as a young child and was granted UK nationality in 2006, when he was around the age of 16.

He lived in the Manchester area of Prestwich, and his relatives recently issued a statement stating: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this incident and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, and we pray for their fortitude and comfort."

People in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who infrequently interacted with his neighbors.

They said he would sometimes dress in casual attire and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian dress.

What did his family state?

Speaking for the Al-Shamie family both domestically and internationally, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "Reports from Manchester concerning the violent act aimed at a place of Jewish worship has been a deeply disturbing event to us.

"Our family everywhere strongly condemns this heinous act, which affected peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our condolences and sentiments are with the injured and their kin, and we pray for their resilience and comfort.

"We ask that all media outlets respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time and refrain from employing this sad occurrence in any manner that does not reflect the truth.

"May God shows compassion on the blameless individuals, and we pray for the quick healing of the wounded."

Tributes near the scene
Memorials have been left near the scene of the incident.

What were local residents observing?

Geoff Haliwell resides close to a house in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is believed to be the Al-Shamie family home. It was searched by law enforcement on Thursday.

Mr Haliwell, 72, explained the property used to be on his cleaning route and he was acquainted with the wider family "somewhat", noting they were "pleasant individuals".

"I was taken aback, I was shocked," he remarked, mentioning that he believed the Al-Shamies moved to the area about 15 years ago.

He said the parent had resided there for five or six years but then departed from the residence, subsequently returning in a car with French number plates.

He said Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes be seen in western clothes and on other occasions conventional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would use benches to work out.

He continued: "I would see him no less than once or twice a weekly, we just said 'hello'.

"I didn't even know his identity.

"He seemed like a ordinary, ordinary lad, no indication would stand out to make you think he was different."

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A different resident recalled a baby also residing at the address but could not recall seeing a woman living there.

She said: "We often observed him outside in the yard exercising, lifting weights, push-ups.

"He used to change his outfits.

"On one occasion he would be dressed in the full gown, to the floor and the next jeans and pyjama bottoms."

Another resident told the a newspaper: "I identified him from the images of the suspect. I noticed his small vehicle, the Kia, because he'd consistently park it incorrectly near our home.

"I observed him strolling in his sleepwear and slip-on sandals, carrying a bag from stores.

"He appeared muscular and often stored his fitness equipment in his garage. I noticed them there."

"He did not appear to talk to anyone in this vicinity," they concluded.

Was he previously identified by officials?

The individual's identity has not appeared in preliminary checks of law enforcement and security service counter-terrorism records, and he is not believed to have been subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Additional inquiries are under way to see if he is listed anywhere files of other investigations.

There are reports Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor teaching the English language and computer programming, and his father is a medical doctor.

The interior minister Shabana Mahmood stated she was "surprised" by the name of the assailant.

Commenting on a radio station, Ms Mahmood was asked about the individual's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which presenter Nick Ferrari interpreted as "struggle of the Syrian".

She responded: "It was unexpected to learn that designation myself.

"Actually, as a follower of Islam, I've never heard someone being called Jihad, but it is the name that he was given at birth - that has consistently remained his identity."

Ryan White
Ryan White

A passionate writer and cultural enthusiast with a knack for uncovering unique stories across the UK.