Armed police shot dead a man suspected of carrying explosives after he launched a deadly assault outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall, Manchester, on Yom Kippur—the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar.
At around 9:30am, the attacker reportedly rammed a car into a crowd before stabbing multiple people. Two victims were killed and three others remain in critical condition. Police confirmed the suspect was fatally shot within minutes, at 9:38am, amid fears he was wearing a suicide vest.
Witnesses described the assailant as moving with chilling focus, targeting worshippers indiscriminately, including those wearing religious garments. Rabbi Daniel Walker, hailed as a hero, secured worshippers inside the synagogue as the chaos unfolded.
Soon after, bomb disposal units conducted a controlled explosion near the site. Greater Manchester Police declared a “Plato” incident, the national emergency protocol for a marauding terror attack. Footage circulating online shows armed officers confronting the suspect before opening fire.
Meanwhile, in nearby White House Avenue, just 1,500 feet from the synagogue, residents reported seeing two men arrested during a heavy police raid. Armed units, dog squads, and helicopters locked down the quiet cul-de-sac, though police have not confirmed why the men were detained.
National leaders and royals quickly responded. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cut short a European trip to convene an emergency Cobra meeting, condemning the “horrific” attack, especially given its timing on Yom Kippur. King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed deep sorrow, praising the swift police response, while the Prince and Princess of Wales offered solidarity with the Jewish community.
Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed one of the victims was a synagogue security guard. Hospitals across Greater Manchester—including Salford Royal and Royal Oldham—entered lockdown as part of the wider emergency response.
Police say it is too early to determine the attacker’s motive. However, community security has been heightened nationwide, with additional patrols deployed to synagogues across the UK.
