🔗 Share this article

Information continue to emerge about the life of Jihad Al-Shamie, understood to be a thirty-five-year-old UK national of Syrian descent.

The individual reportedly came to the UK during his early youth and received British citizenship in 2006, when he was around the age of 16.

He resided in Prestwich, Manchester, and his relatives recently released a statement saying: "We completely dissociate ourselves from this incident and convey our profound dismay and grief over what has happened.

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

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

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

What did his relatives say?

Speaking for the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie commented: "The news from Manchester concerning the violent act aimed at a place of Jewish worship has been a deeply disturbing event to us.

"Our family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this atrocious deed, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We entirely distance ourselves from this assault and express our intense astonishment and sadness over what has transpired. Our hearts and sentiments are with the victims and their kin, and we pray for their strength and comfort.

"We ask that all press organizations respect the family's privacy 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 innocent victims, and we pray for the quick healing of the injured."

What were neighbors observing?

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

Mr Haliwell, 72, explained the property used to be on his cleaning route and he knew the extended family "a little", noting they were "really nice people".

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

He indicated the father had resided there for several years but then left the residence, later visiting in a car with French number plates.

He said Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes be seen in modern clothing and other times conventional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would utilize benches to work out.

He continued: "I encountered him at least once or twice a weekly, we just said 'hello'.

"I was unaware of his name.

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

• Stay updated: Two men killed in the Manchester incident named

Another neighbour remembered a baby also living at the address but could not recall seeing a female living there.

She said: "We often observed him out in the garden exercising, lifting weights, press ups.

"He used to change his outfits.

"On one occasion he would be dressed in the full gown, to the floor and the next denim and pyjama bottoms."

One more local told the Daily Telegraph: "I identified him from the pictures of the suspect. I noticed his little car, the Kia, because he'd consistently park it incorrectly near our home.

"I'd see him strolling in his sleepwear and slip-on sandals, holding a bag from stores.

"He was quite bulked-up and often stored his exercise weights in his garage. I noticed them there."

"He never seemed to talk to anybody around here," they added.

Was he previously identified by authorities?

Al-Shamie's name has not been found in preliminary checks of law enforcement and security service databases, and he is not thought to have been subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Further checks are under way to see if he is listed in any files 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 surgeon.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated she was "surprised" by the attacker's name.

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

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

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