Manchester synagogue terrorist was on bail for alleged rape at the time of his rampage and was ‘struggling with debt’ after splitting up with his wife and young son’

The terrorist responsible for the Manchester synagogue attack was reportedly out on bail for alleged rape when he carried out the massacre.  

Jihad al-Shamie, 35, was being investigated by police in relation to a sexual attack alleged to have taken place earlier this year.   

al-Shamie was a reclusive weightlifter who was living with his mother after splitting up from his wife and would work out in the garden, neighbours said.

A British citizen of Syrian descent, he has lived in the UK for more than 20 years, one neighbour said.

He is understood to have travelled to Britain with his family as a young child and was granted UK citizenship in 2006, when he would have been around 16. 

But more recently he lived in a council house in a quiet cul-de-sac in Langley Crescent, Prestwich in North Manchester with his mother and one of his two brothers, after splitting up with the mother of his child.

Al-Shamie was shot dead by armed police at 9.38am on Thursday after launching an appalling terror attack that saw him drive a car at members of the public outside a synagogue before stabbing multiple people.

At the time of the incident, it was feared he had an explosive suicide belt on. However, this device later proved to be ‘non-viable’.

Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were left dead and four others were injured following the incident outside Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police, whose armed officers were scrambled to the scene, said in a statement today that one of those killed and one of the injured also suffered bullet wounds from armed officers. 

Neighbours told how Jihad had become reclusive of late after his wife and baby moved out of the property and had become ‘a bit of a loner’ – and said yesterday’s events had shocked the diverse community.

He is said to have lived in the council house with his mother since 2021. 

Geoff Halliwell, 72, who cleaned the family’s windows, said one of Jihad’s brothers had recently moved out. He is thought to have been living at White House Avenue in nearby Crumpsall, not far from the Heaton Park synagogue.

‘They moved in 20 years ago and they were always nice people. He was a smashing lad to talk to, and so was the other and she was a nice lady,’ Mr Halliwell said.

The father of the family, Faraj Al-Shamie, moved out around 10 years ago and appears to have been living in France, visiting the house in a car with French number plates, Mr Halliwell said.

He is understood to be a surgeon who has worked across the globe. 

Jihad was the eldest and he had a ‘wife and kid but she moved out some time ago,’ he added, saying he had last seen them around six months ago.

‘It has left everyone shocked, amazed, stunned,’ Mr Halliwell said. ‘I am just as shocked as everyone else, it came out of the blue.’

Kate McLeish, 38, said Al-Shamie seemed to have become a ‘bit of a loner’ and she had overheard him arguing and swearing at a woman on the phone in his car.

The car was ‘bashed up’ and he would go to the supermarket in his pyjamas and flipflops, or wear a tracksuit and prayer cap, she said.

‘They are probably the only neighbours I don’t really know well. He didn’t come across as a friendly guy.

‘One time he was on the speaker phone in his car and talking to a woman I think. I don’t know what he was talking about but it wasn’t very nice.

‘I just feel really sad, it is awful what has happened. We have a big Jewish community in Prestwich and Manchester and everyone gets on well.

‘It’s a shame someone feels they have to do that. I can’t understand why he would want to hurt people.’

Alyssa Tsa, 46, who lives in the same crescent as the family, said she delivered a present to them at Christmas but was never invited into the house.

When her son helped pick up leaves in the garden, they delivered chocolates in return.

‘They seem so nice. The mother would say hi, how are you today? I would see him doing the gardening and exercising in the garden.

‘There was no sign of this horrible thing, he seemed to care for his family and protect them.’

Another neighbour said she used to see Al-Shamie lifting weights in the garden at the side of the house and helping his mother in with the shopping.

‘I know most people around here but I don’t really know them,’ she said. ‘He had a little baby and a wife but I haven’t seen them for some time.

‘Sometimes he would be in traditional dress – a gown to the floor and a prayer cap, sometimes in pyjamas and flip flops, and sometimes in jeans and he drove a small black car.’

She described how she had looked out of her window on Thursday afternoon to see around 20 armed officers.

‘They didn’t go in straight away and then someone came with a chainsaw and there was a drone overhead. I didn’t see them bring anyone out.

‘This is a diverse community and everyone gets on – all faiths, LGBT, old and young – and that matters to us.’

As well as descending on the quiet street in Prestwich, armed police officers also attended a property just a quarter of a mile from the synagogue on Thursday.

Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism, Greater Manchester Police said. 

Al Shamie’s relatives took to social media this morning to share a statement in which they condemned his ‘heinous’ act.

The family said: ‘The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us.

‘The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.

‘We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.

‘We kindly request that all media outlets respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time and refrain from using this tragic event in any context that does not reflect the truth.

‘May God have mercy on the innocent victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured.’

The statement was signed by Faraj Al-Shamie, on behalf of the Al-Shamie Family.

This morning Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson admitted that one of the men who died and another who was injured suffered gunshot wounds from armed police during the incident.

It is reported that a bullet grazed one man’s leg before hitting Mr Daubly in the stomach, who sadly died.

The men, along with the synagogue’s Rabbi Daniel Walker, had been standing inches from the attacker after they barricaded the doors to prevent him gaining access.

Chief Watson said: ‘Following the terrorist incident yesterday at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, Middleton Road, Crumpsall; further and urgent enquiries continue. Overnight, we have taken advice from the Home Office Pathologist ahead of full post mortem examinations scheduled for later today. 

‘The Home Office Pathologist has advised that he has provisionally determined, that one of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.

‘It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al-Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community.

‘It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end.

‘We have also been advised by medical professionals that one of the three victims currently receiving treatment in hospital, has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is mercifully not life-threatening.

‘It is believed that both victims were close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.’

One of those who died, Mr Cravitz, was close friends with Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue Rabbi, Daniel Walker.

He leaves behind his wife Karen, whom he married in August 2009. In a tender family album picture shared online the couple are seen clinking glasses of whisky together on their wedding day.

Mr Cravitz had previously survived two heart operations and had no children of his own, but was seen as an uncle figure to his wife’s children from her previous marriage.

Tributes are pouring in for both victims today after the tragedy. Two friends of Melvin Cravitz described him as ‘very beloved’, adding he ‘always’ smiled.  

Muhammad Azam, 35, told the Mail the 66-year-old ‘never looked at the colour of people’s skin’ and ‘everyone loved him.’

The former supermarket worker, who lived four minutes’ walk from the Heaton Park Synagogue, was murdered by would-be suicide attacker Jihad Al Shamine, 35, as he arrived for prayers yesterday morning.

But cousin Phil Bentley said Mr Cravitz normally attended Yom Kippur prayers much later in the day and he was at a loss to explain why he was there so early.

Mr Bentley, who lives in a flat next door to the synagogue, said he heard ‘two pops’ just after 9.30am and went outside to see police everywhere.

‘I went out of the flats but had to go straight back in, police were there shouting, ‘get back, get back,’ he said.

‘Melvin was my cousin. He was a lovely guy, a quiet man, a gentle giant.

‘I’ve no idea why he was there at the synagogue that early, he’s never there that early.’

Mr Cravitz grew up in north Manchester and attended Plant Hill Secondary School in Blackley. He married his wife, Karen, around 15 years ago, and treated her three children and grandchildren like his own.

The couple moved into Mr Cravitz’s mother Phyllis’ home, on Ardern Road, which is 350 yards from the synagogue, when she died, aged 89, six years ago.

He was very well known in the Jewish community, and previously worked in a series a jobs, including as a driver and in a kosher supermarket. Although he retired around three years ago, he still helped out in the local food bank.

Mr Cravitz’s former boss, David Salzman, said he ‘had a heart of gold.’

‘He was always helping customers, especially anybody vulnerable or elderly,’ Mr Salzman said. ‘He always went the extra mile.’

Mr Azam, 35, who lives next door but one to Mr Cravitz, added: ‘He was a very good man, we can’t believe what’s happened.

‘He was the jolly man in charge of our street. He was the type that if it started raining he would knock on your door to tell you to get your washing in.

‘He never saw or cared about anyone’s colour. Our children loved him. You would always see him in the street wearing his vest.

‘He was very bubbly. Everyone liked him.’

The Pakistani security guard: ‘He was a very lovely neighbour. We were devastated when we found out he was a victim.

‘He never saw us as Pakistani, he wasn’t like that.’

Mr Daulby’s family said they were ‘heartbroken’ at his loss, and asked for privacy.

A short statement shared on his Facebook page read: ‘As Adrian’s family, we are heartbroken by his passing.

‘We kindly ask for privacy at this time as we grieve and seek the answers we need. Thank you for your understanding and respect.’

His family released a statement on Friday paying tribute to his final act of courage.

They said: ‘Adrian Daulby was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others, he was a beloved brother, loving uncle to his four nieces and one nephew and a cherished cousin.

‘The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely down to earth man.

‘His final act was one of profound courage and he will forever be remembered for his heroic act on Thursday 2 October 2025.’

Mr Daulby lived on his own after losing both his parents to cancer, and was battling the disease himself, a neighbour told the Daily Mail.

As a result of his ill-health, the nature lover had debated whether to go for Yom Kippur, Hussain Shahzad said.

The 27-year-old biomedical scientist fought back tears as he told how his neighbour, who lived alone following the death of his parents, spent his time enjoying the nature in the garden of his semi-detached home.

Mr Shahzad added: ‘He loved animals. He had a YouTube channel where he uploaded videos of the birds and wildlife. He would film my chickens.

‘He had not been so well lately and when I spoke to him on Tuesday he said he wasn’t going to fast on Yom Kippur. He was thinking about whether he would go to the synagogue or not for this reason.

‘I didn’t see him go yesterday but he would usually wear his best suit when he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath.’

In a vigil for the victims of the attack today, Rabbi Daniel Walker, from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation,  paid thanks to ‘one of the heroes’ who is recovering in hospital from ‘terrible wounds’.

Speaking on Middleton Road near the police cordon, he told the crowd: ‘I’m joined here by many dignitaries for whose presence we are very, very grateful, but I just want to introduce you, first of all, to the young people who are standing here with me.’

He addressed the ‘youngest kids’ of ‘one of the people, one of the heroes, of the Heaton Park Shul community, who is today in hospital recovering from terrible wounds.’

The rabbi added that he is recovering alongside two men who ‘blocked the terrorist’ with their bodies.

‘So I want to begin with prayers for them, as is traditional’, he said, before leading a prayer in Hebrew.