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By Barney Henderson
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The car and stabbing attack at a synagogue in Manchester, UK, on Thursday morning that left two victims dead and three others in serious condition has been declared a terrorist incident.
The suspect was shot dead by police at the scene.
The incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police officers have been deployed to synagogues across the UK to boost security in the wake of the attack.
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What to Know
An image from an eyewitness video showed the alleged suspect wearing what appears to be a possible bomb.
In a statement, police said: "Greater Manchester Police can confirm two people have died following the major incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Middleton Road, Crumpsall.
"A third person, a man believed to be the offender, was shot by GMP firearms officers and is also believed to be deceased."
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of counter terrorism policing, said later on Thursday afternoon U.K. time: "Based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident. We have also made two further arrests."
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In a series of posts on X, Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the synagogue shortly after 9:30 a.m.
A member of the public told police he had witnessed a car being driven toward members of the public and that one man had been stabbed.
Minutes later, armed police were on the scene and the suspect was shot by firearms officers.
Police said it had "declared Plato," which is Britain's national code-word used by emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack."
Witness: Suspect Attempted to Break in Through Window
A witness has told the BBC the suspect was attempting to break into the synagogue through a window when police arrived at the scene and shot him.
"The guy had a knife and he was just stabbing the window … within seconds the police arrived, they gave him a couple of warnings, he didn't listen, so they opened fire," the witness said.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed police shooting the suspect as he continued to move on the floor, defying their instructions, and them urging bystanders to get back because the suspect may have a bomb.
The video also shows another motionless individual on the floor in a pool of blood. Onlookers said the person had been stabbed.
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Starmer 'Appalled' by Synagogue Attack
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement: "I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.
"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.
"My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."
Starmer said "additional police assets" would be deployed to synagogues in the wake of the Manchester attack.
"We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe," he said, after leaving a European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen early to chair a meeting of the government's emergency COBR committee this afternoon.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla 'Shocked and Saddened'
King Charles III released a message of support, which read: "My wife and I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services."
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