Armed police officers at the scene of a stabbing incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, in Crumpsall, Manchester, England, October 2, 2025. PETER BYRNE / AP
Two people were killed on Thursday, October 2, and four were wounded outside a packed synagogue in Manchester in a car and stabbing attack. Police shot and killed the suspect, said Greater Manchester Police, who declared the attack a "terrorist incident."
As the Jewish community marked the holiday of Yom Kippur in the northwestern city, police activated a national terrorism-response protocol. Greater Manchester Police declared a "major incident" shortly after 9:30 am after officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall neighborhood. Police said "a large number of people worshiping at the synagogue (...) were held inside while the immediate area was made safe" but then evacuated. Reports also came in that a security guard had been attacked with a knife.
The force initially said paramedics were treating four people for "injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds." GMP chief constable Stephen Watson confirmed mid-afternoon that "two members of our Jewish community have sadly died" while officers had shot dead the attacker within seven minutes of the first emergency call. Four other people remained in hospital with "serious injuries," he said.
