🔗 Share this article

Details are gradually surfacing about the background of Jihad Al-Shamie, understood to be a 35-year-old UK national of Syrian origin.

Al-Shamie reportedly entered the UK as a young child and was granted UK nationality in 2006, at approximately the age of 16.

He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his relatives today released a declaration saying: "We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and grief over what has occurred.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the those affected and their loved ones, and we hope for their strength and solace."

Residents in Prestwich portrayed Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who infrequently engaged with his neighbors.

It was mentioned he would sometimes dress in casual attire and other times in "traditional" Syrian garments.

What did his family say?

Speaking for the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester concerning the violent act targeting a place of Jewish worship has been a profound shock to us.

"The Al-Shamie family everywhere strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted non-combatant individuals.

"We fully separate ourselves from this assault and communicate our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has happened. Our condolences and sentiments are with the victims and their kin, and we pray for their resilience and peace.

"We kindly request that all media outlets honor the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from employing this sad occurrence in any context that does not represent the facts.

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

What did neighbors say?

Geoff Haliwell lives close to a residence in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is believed to be the Al-Shamie home of the family. It was searched by police officers on Thursday.

Mr Haliwell, 72, said the dwelling was previously on his window-cleaning round and he knew the wider family "somewhat", saying they were "pleasant individuals".

"I was taken aback, I was shocked," he remarked, mentioning that he believed the Al-Shamies moved to the street about 15 years ago.

He said the parent had resided there for five or six years but then departed from the home, subsequently visiting in a vehicle with license plates from France.

He said Jihad Al-Shamie would at times wear western clothes and other times traditional Syrian attire. He also said Al-Shamie would use public seats to exercise.

He added: "I would see him no less than once or twice a week, we just exchanged 'greetings'.

"I was unaware of his identity.

"He was just a straightforward, regular young man, nothing would be noticeable to make you suspect he was anything unusual."

• Stay updated: Two men killed in Manchester synagogue attack identified

Another neighbour recalled a infant also living at the location but could not recall noticing a woman staying there.

She said: "We used to see him out in the garden exercising, doing weights, push-ups.

"He used to change his clothes.

"One day he would be dressed in the full gown, reaching the ground and the next jeans and sleepwear."

Another resident told the Daily Telegraph: "I recognised him from the pictures of the attacker. I recognised his little car, the Kia, because he'd consistently park it badly outside ours.

"I observed him walking around in his sleepwear and casual footwear, holding a shopping bag.

"He was quite bulked-up and often stored his fitness equipment in his garage. I'd see them there."

"He did not appear to speak to anybody around here," they concluded.

Had he been known to officials?

Al-Shamie's name has not been found in initial searches of law enforcement and intelligence agency databases, and he is not thought to have been subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Additional inquiries are under way to determine if he appears anywhere records of previous probes.

There are reports Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor educating in the English language and computer programming, and his father is a medical doctor.

The interior minister Shabana Mahmood stated she was "taken aback" by the attacker's name.

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

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

"In fact, as a follower of Islam, I have not encountered anyone being called Jihad, but it is the title that he was born with - that has consistently remained his name."