THIS is the suspected knifeman who was shot dead by cops after unleashing a ‘terror’ rampage outside a synagogue which left two dead and several injured.
Three people are fighting for their lives after a car was driven at a crowd and people were stabbed outside Manchester’s Heaton Park synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Armed cops have shot a suspect after a suspected knife rampage outside a synagogue[/caption]
Officers spotted at the scene today as emergency services descended on the site[/caption]
Children wrapped in blankets are looked after at the scene[/caption]
Police and first responders at the scene today[/caption]
Five people were injured after a car was driven at a crowd and a man, believed to be a security guard, was stabbed outside the synagogue.
Armed cops scrambled to the scene in Crumpsall, north of Manchester, where eyewitnesses said a car was “driving erratically” before crashing into the synagogue gates.
A witness said: “The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”
A man – who is believed to be the offender – was shot dead by firearms officers at 9.38am. He did not manage to enter the building.
Police said the death cannot currently be confirmed due to “safety issues” and “suspicious items on his person”.
What we know so far…
- Two people killed in attack, third person – thought to be the offender – is believed to be dead
- Cops were called to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Greater Manchester at 9.31am
- A witness said a car was driven towards members of the public and a man had been stabbed
- Police declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am
- PLATO refers to the agreed national response protocol in the UK for a “marauding terrorist attack”
- A man – believed to be the attacker – was shot 9.38am
- Cops confirmed four people were injured by both the vehicle and stab wounds
- Hospitals across Manchester are on lockdown
Three other members of the public are fighting for their lives.
Greater Manchester Police declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. PLATO means terrorism could be involved, but it is not yet confirmed.
A white lorry marked ‘Bomb Disposal’ arrived at the scene and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue.
In video shared on social media, an onlooker could be heard saying that the suspect “has got a bomb on him” and appeared to be trying to press a button to detonate it.
“He’s going to blow himself up, he’s trying to press the button,” the person is heard to say – before there was the sound of a gunshot and the person fell to the ground.
Those inside the building reportedly barricaded the doors.
An eyewitness said prayers had started when the horror unfolded but Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm and he and others led the congregation to safety.
A man added: “They are true heroes.”
A delivery driver, who gave his name as Gareth, told BBC Radio Manchester: “The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in the [synagogue].
“And then within seconds the police arrived. They gave him a couple of warnings.
“He didn’t listen, so they opened fire. He went down on the floor, and then he started getting back up, and then they shot him again.”
Counter terror police are currently searching houses near to where the tragedy occurred.
Members of the army with a bomb disposal robot at the scene[/caption]
Emergency services at the scene of an incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester[/caption]
Emergency personnel work at the scene, after a reported attack in which a car was driven at pedestrians and one person was stabbed near a synagogue[/caption]
Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who is flying back from Denmark early to chair Cobra – announced that that security is being stepped up at every synagogue across the country.
Starmer said: “The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking, and all of our thoughts are with those affected.
“I am on my way back to London. When I arrive, I will chair an emergency Cobra meeting.
“I’m already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.”
The Mayor of London also announced the Met Police is deploying patrols in Jewish communities and synagogues across the capital.
The area around the synagogue in Crumpsall has been swamped by dozens of police vehicles, along with fire and ambulance crews, while the force helicopter hovers overhead.
Police officers dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying machine guns could also be seen inside the cordon outside the synagogue.
A Jewish man, among a group of shocked onlookers at the cordon, said his wife and daughter and other members of the congregation were still inside the synagogue.
Mayor Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester people had gathered for a Yom Kippur service outside the synagogue.
He said: “It is believed that the offender is deceased, although it’s not confirmed.
“So, that’s what I meant in saying that a degree of reassurance can be given that it’s not a developing, an ongoing, incident.
What is a Cobra meeting?
A Cobra meeting involves a cross-departmental committee that comes together to respond to national emergencies.
Its aim is to make fast, effective decisions in a crisis and coordinate the response of the central government.
The committee brings together senior government ministers and civil servants, security and intelligence officials, military chiefs and leaders of the emergency services and councils, depending on the nature of the crisis.
The Prime Minister usually chairs the meetings, which are held in the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms and are most commonly take place in Briefing Room A – leading to them being referred to as Cobra.
Cobra meetings are called at times of national crisis, owing to events either at home or abroad.
“It would appear that it is contained, although, obviously, the scene is very much an active scene.”
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
Large numbers of Jewish people attend synagogues and fast on this day.
The King said in a statement: “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.”
Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed.
“GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender.
“Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41 and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.”
The North West Ambulance Service said: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.
“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.
“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
Police have rushed to a synagogue where someone has been stabbed[/caption]
Emergency personnel work at the scene[/caption]
