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Manchester ‍Synagogue Attacker Pledged Allegiance to ISIS During 999 Call,Police Say

MANCHESTER,England – The man‌ who⁤ attacked a synagogue in north Manchester on October 2nd pledged allegiance ​to ISIS during a call to ⁣authorities while the attack was ⁢underway,according to Counter Terrorism Policing ⁣North West.Chief Constable Rob Potts, of Greater Manchester Police, revealed the facts⁤ in a statement Wednesday.

the attacker, identified as Jihad Al Shamie, 35, deliberately drove a black Kia vehicle into⁢ pedestrians outside ‍the Heaton Park Hebrew ⁣Congregation Synagogue during Yom Kippur services. After colliding with a ‌wall,​ Al Shamie exited the vehicle⁤ armed ⁣with a knife and continued his assault.

Minutes after the initial 9:31 a.m. local time notification of the attack, Al ⁢Shamie called police,‌ claiming obligation and ‍declaring ‌his support for ISIS, ​Potts stated. He was fatally shot by armed police shortly after⁢ making⁢ the call.

Two ⁢men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin⁢ Cravitz, 66, both⁢ of Crumpsall, were killed in the attack. ‌Police confirmed formal identification of the victims on Friday. Investigators‌ believe one of the victims was likely struck ‍by a police bullet intended for Al Shamie. ​Authorities stated the two men​ were ‌attempting to prevent the ​assailant from entering the synagogue.

Three other individuals remained hospitalized with serious injuries as of Wednesday,including one victim with a⁢ non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Police have arrested and questioned six people in​ connection with the incident, but released two without ⁤charges on Sunday. the ​remaining four are scheduled to be released wednesday, also without being charged.

Potts confirmed that Al Shamie was not previously known to ‍Britain’s PREVENT counter-terrorism program or the Counter Terrorism policing unit. However, he added, “at this stage of our inquiry, it⁣ appears‌ that⁣ he was influenced by ‍extreme islamist​ ideology,” citing ​the 999 call as key evidence.

Al⁢ Shamie was also found to ⁢be carrying‌ a second knife and a “hoax device.” Witnesses reported seeing ⁢him “acting suspiciously” outside the synagogue prior to the ⁣attack, leaving when confronted by security before returning 15​ minutes later ⁢in the Kia.

“Even ⁣though we have made significant progress as the attack took place, we are still in the relatively⁢ early stages and ⁣there is‍ much work to be done,” Potts said.

The‌ incident ‌is ‍being investigated‍ as a terrorist⁤ attack.