🔗 Share this article

Details are gradually surfacing about the background of Jihad Al-Shamie, known to be a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.

Al-Shamie apparently came to the UK as a young child and received British citizenship in 2006, when he was around the age of 16.

He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his family recently issued a statement stating: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this attack and convey our profound dismay and sorrow over what has happened.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the those affected and their families, and we pray for their fortitude and comfort."

Residents in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a weightlifting enthusiast who rarely engaged with his those living nearby.

It was mentioned he would sometimes appear in western clothes and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian garments.

What did his relatives state?

On behalf the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester concerning the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us.

"Our family everywhere strongly condemns this heinous act, which affected peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We fully distance ourselves from this assault and express our intense astonishment and sadness over what has happened. Our hearts and sentiments are with the injured and their families, and we wish for their resilience and peace.

"We ask that all press organizations honor the family's privacy during this extremely challenging time and abstain from using this sad occurrence in any context that does not represent the facts.

"We hope God have mercy on the blameless individuals, and we hope for the quick healing of the injured."

What were local residents say?

Geoff Haliwell resides close to a house in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is believed to be the Al-Shamie home of the family. It was raided by law enforcement on Thursday.

Mr Haliwell, 72, said the dwelling used to be on his cleaning route and he was acquainted with the wider family "a little", saying they were "really nice people".

"I was astonished, I was shocked," he remarked, adding that he thought the Al-Shamies relocated to the street approximately 15 years ago.

He said the parent had resided there for several years but then left the home, later returning in a vehicle with license plates from France.

He observed Jihad Al-Shamie would at times be seen in western clothes and on other occasions conventional Syrian dress. He also said Al-Shamie would use public seats to exercise.

He continued: "I would see him at least a couple of times a week, we just exchanged 'hello'.

"I was unaware of his identity.

"He seemed like a ordinary, regular young man, nothing would be noticeable to make you think he was anything unusual."

• Stay updated: Two individuals fatally injured in Manchester synagogue attack named

A different resident remembered a baby also residing at the location but could not remember noticing a woman staying there.

She commented: "We often observed him out in the garden exercising, doing weights, push-ups.

"He frequently altered his clothes.

"On one occasion he would be wearing the full gown, to the floor and the next denim and sleepwear."

One more local told the a newspaper: "I identified him from the pictures of the suspect. I noticed his little car, the Kia, because he'd always park it incorrectly outside ours.

"I'd see him walking around in his pyjamas and slip-on sandals, carrying a shopping bag.

"He appeared bulked-up and often stored his exercise weights in his garage. I'd see them there."

"He never seemed to speak to anybody in this vicinity," they concluded.

Was he previously identified by officials?

Al-Shamie's name has not been found in preliminary checks of police and intelligence agency databases, and he is not believed to have been under current investigation.

Further checks are under way to determine if he is listed anywhere files of other investigations.

There are reports Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor teaching the English language and coding, and his father is a surgeon.

The interior minister Shabana Mahmood said she was "surprised" by the name of the assailant.

Commenting on a radio station, Ms Mahmood was questioned about the individual's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which presenter Nick Ferrari interpreted as "conflict related to Syria".

She responded: "I was very surprised to learn that name myself.

"Actually, as a Muslim, I have not encountered someone being called Jihad, but it is the title that he was born with - that has consistently remained his name."