Manchester synagogue attacker 'pledged allegiance to Islamic State' in 999 call
Counter-terror police believe that Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, was influenced by extremist Islamist ideology.
The man responsible for a fatal terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester made a call to police pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group.
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Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, dialled 999 after driving into worshippers in his car at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Thursday.
Syrian-born Al-Shamie then attacked others with a knife and tried to storm the building with a fake suicide belt.
Armed police shot and killed him just seven minutes after cops were alerted to the attack, which was carried out in the "heart of Manchester's Jewish community" on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two worshippers, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed during the attack.
Three men remain in hospital with serious injuries, including a security guard with car-impact injuries and a Community Security Trust (CST) worker with stab wounds.
Counter-terror police initially arrested six people in connection with the attack, releasing two without charge on Saturday.
They also said extensive CCTV and house-to-house enquiries have been conducted and they have spoken with potential witnesses and members of the community.
The four others arrested were released without charge on Wednesday, police said, prompting suspicions Al-Shamie may have been a "lone wolf" who carried out the atrocity on his own after being inspired by Islamic terrorism.
Counter-terror police believe that Al-Shamie was influenced by extremist Islamist ideology.
Despite claiming to act on behalf of Islamic State, MI5 have reportedly been unable to establish any links between Al-Shamie and the terror group or other proscribed organisations.
The so-called Islamic State is a jihadist Islamist terror group who conquered territory in Syria and Iraq and declared a 'caliphate' in 2013 before battlefield defeats.
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It is believed Mr Daulby was shot dead by police while trying to stop Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue during the attack.
Mr Cravitz, a father-of-three from Crumpsall, died helping prevent the attacker from entering the premises.
Paying tribute, Mr Cravitz's family said he would "do anything to help anyone".
"He was so kind, caring and always wanted to chat and get to know people.
"He was devoted to his wife, family and loved his food," they said.
One rabbi described the attack at the synagogue as “every Jewish person’s worst nightmare”.
Counter Terrorism Policing North West said from witness accounts Al-Shamie, was seen acting suspiciously outside the synagogue before he was confronted by security.
It was not reported to police because he walked away when challenged.
Around 15 minutes later, he returned to the scene in a black Kia vehicle and deliberately drove the car at innocent members of the public before colliding with a wall.
He then stepped out of the vehicle armed with a knife and resumed his attack.
He had a second knife in his possession and was also wearing a hoax device on his person. This device has since been assessed and confirmed to be a non-viable device.
It was later revealed Al-Shamie was on police bail for an alleged rape when he carried out the attack.
The 35-year-old was being investigated over the alleged sexual attack which is understood to have taken place earlier this year, the Guardian reported.
The attacker is also believed to have other criminal convictions, although he was not on the radar of counter-terrorism officers or Prevent.
It is not known when the alleged attack took place, but he was under investigation by Greater Manchester police.
'Week of deep trauma'
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: "We are now almost a week on from the appalling terrorist attack that took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
"This has been a week of deep trauma and mourning for the Jewish community at a time when they should have been observing one of the holiest periods in the calendar of their faith.
"From the moment the first call came into police, our efforts have been driven by a desire to establish the truth for all those affected and the wider community.
"They have been at the forefront of our minds and continue to be in our thoughts today.
