🔗 Share this article

Details continue to emerge about the life of Jihad Al-Shamie, known to be a 35-year-old UK national of Syrian origin.

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

He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his family today issued a statement saying: "We fully distance ourselves from this incident and convey our profound dismay and sorrow over what has occurred.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones, and we pray for their fortitude and solace."

People in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who rarely interacted with his those living nearby.

They said he would sometimes appear in casual attire and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian garments.

What has his family state?

On behalf the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "Reports from Manchester concerning the violent act aimed at a place of Jewish worship has been a profound shock to us.

"The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad vehemently denounces this atrocious deed, which targeted non-combatant individuals.

"We entirely separate ourselves from this assault and express our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has transpired. Our hearts and sentiments are with the injured and their families, and we pray for their resilience and comfort.

"We ask that all press organizations honor the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from using this tragic event in any context that does not represent the truth.

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

What did neighbors 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 was previously on his cleaning route and he knew the extended family "a little", noting they were "really nice people".

"I was astonished, I felt stunned," he remarked, mentioning that he believed the Al-Shamies relocated to the area approximately 15 years ago.

He indicated the parent had resided there for several years but then departed from the home, subsequently visiting in a car with license plates from France.

He observed Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes be seen in western clothes and other times traditional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would utilize public seats to work out.

He added: "I would see him at least once or twice a week, we just exchanged 'greetings'.

"I was unaware of his identity.

"He seemed like a ordinary, ordinary lad, nothing would be noticeable to make you suspect he was anything unusual."

• Follow live: Two individuals killed in Manchester synagogue attack identified

A different resident recalled a baby also residing at the address but could not remember seeing a woman staying there.

She said: "We often observed him outside in the yard exercising, doing weights, press ups.

"He frequently altered his outfits.

"One day he would be wearing the full gown, to the floor and the next denim and sleepwear."

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

"I'd see him strolling in his pyjamas and casual footwear, carrying a bag from stores.

"He was quite bulked-up and used to keep his exercise weights in his garage. I noticed them there."

"He did not appear to talk to anybody around here," they added.

Was he known to authorities?

Al-Shamie's name has not appeared in preliminary checks of police and intelligence agency counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.

Additional inquiries are in progress to determine if he appears in any files of other investigations.

It has been mentioned Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor educating in English and computer programming, and his parent is a surgeon.

The interior minister Shabana Mahmood said she was "surprised" by the attacker's name.

Speaking on LBC, Ms Mahmood was asked about the attacker's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which host Nick Ferrari interpreted as "struggle of the Syrian".

She responded: "It was unexpected to discover that designation myself.

"Actually, as a Muslim, I have not encountered anyone being called Jihad, but it is the name that he was born with - that has always been his identity."