Who was the Manchester synagogue attacker?

Jihad Al-Shamie's life is slowly unfolding, but he is believed to have been a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent. Al-Shamie is said to have arrived in the United Kingdom as a young boy and was granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was 16 years old. He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his family released a statement today stating: "We completely distance ourselves from this assault and express our deep sadness and sadness for what has transpired.

Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and protection.

People in Prestwich told the BBC Al-Shamie, a weightlifting enthusiast who rarely spoke to his neighbors. He would sometimes dress in western clothes and other times wear traditional Syrian clothing, according to them.

What has his family said?

Faraj Al-Shamie, his father, expressed shock on behalf of the Al-Chamie family in the United Kingdom and abroad, said:

The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist assault on a Jewish synagogue has been a shocking shock to us.

The Al-Shamie family in the United Kingdom and elsewhere strongly condemns this barbaric act, which threatened innocent civilians and civilians.

We completely distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep sadness and sadness over what has transpired. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.

We kindly request that all media outlets respect the family's privacy during this difficult period and refrain from using this tragic event in a manner that does not represent the truth. May God have mercy on the innocent victims, says the narrator, and we wait for the victims' quick recovery.

What did neighbours say?

Geoff Haliwell lives in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, which is thought to be the Al-Shamie family's home. On Thursday, police officers searched it. Mr Haliwell, 72, said the house used to be on his window-cleaning round and that the wider family was a little and that they were very nice people.I was astonished, I was stunned,

he said, adding that the Al-Shamies came to the streets about 15 years ago. The father had lived there for five or six years but then left the house, later visiting in a French number plate vehicle. Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes wear western clothing and other times traditional Syrian dress, according to him. Al-Shamie will also use benches to work out, according to him.

I would see him at least twice a week,he said, 'hello'.I didn't even know his name.

He was just a regular, ordinary lad, and nothing would stand out to make you believe he was.

A baby was also living at the address, but I couldn't remember seeing a woman living there.

We used to see him out in the garden, lifting weights, and press ups,

she said. He used to change his clothes.He'll be wearing the full gown to the floor, followed by jeans and pyjama bottoms on one day. I recognized him from the images of the attacker, another resident told the Daily Telegraph:

i recognized him right away. I recognized his little car, the Kia, because he'd always park it badly outside our house.

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

He was a big guy and used to hold his exercise weights in his garage. I'd see them there. They continued,

He never seemed to talk to anyone around here.

Was he known to authorities?

Al-Shamie's name hasn't appeared in initial searches of police and security service counter-terrorism data, and he is not believed to have been under current scrutiny. Further checks are being carried out to see if he appears in other investigation's files. Al-Shamie is said to have served as a tutor in English and computer science, and that his father is a surgeon. Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, expressed surprise at the attacker's name. Ms Mahmood was asked about the attacker's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which host Nick Ferrari described as struggle of the Syrian.I was very surprised to learn that name,she said.Actually, as a Muslim, I've never heard someone named Jihad,

the name he was born with has always been his name. In addition, the Syrian British Consortium, Rethink Rebuild Society, and the Syrian Solidarity Campaign issued a joint statement.

No one within our Syrian community networks, neither within or outside Manchester, has been able to identify the individual responsible for this attack or confirm that he knew him personally,they said.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Soundsand follow BBC Manchester on Facebook,X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas through WhatsApp [phone redacted].