🔗 Share this article What We Know Concerning Jihad al-Shamie, the Perpetrator of the Manchester Synagogue Attack For those living nearby, Jihad al-Shamie appeared to live a relatively normal daily routine: a recent parent who engaged in weight training and parked his car inconsiderately near the home he resided alongside his mother and father. Born to a trauma surgeon, Shamie was thought to experience a content early years, with siblings who were younger who went on to have successful careers in computing and medicine development. Yet following the fatal shooting after carrying out a violent act against a synagogue, a fuller picture has emerged. It has been learned that Shamie was previously declared insolvency, previously sentenced for petty crimes and an accused of sexual assault when he attacked worshippers celebrating the religious holiday. Early Years Appearing Ordinary Jihad al-Shamie reportedly enjoyed a typical early life in Manchester in the 1990s. Through family recordings created for his grandfather in Syria, he holds a feline in the rear yard, telling his father he wishes to give it food; in another he pushes his brother on a outdoor recreational item. Shamie grew up with siblings following him, the relatives going on trips to entertainment venue, animal park and the Trafford Centre, and the children participated in educational Christmas performances during the festive season. Where they once lived, near the healthcare institution where Shamie’s parent was employed, neighbors described a “typical young child” who was part of a “nice family””. He would interact positively with peers on the road, and the sole peculiar aspect someone remembered was that he passed much of his time playing on a handheld computer game – enough that it made his eyes blink. “The family seemed fine, the parent was employed across the street, he came across as friendly, regularly conversed with me. They seemed like decent people, the mother always chatted to us. He used to play on a game, he’d play it all day, his eyes would frequently blink.” ‘A Regular Young Man’ Residents living in his peaceful neighborhood in Prestwich portrayed him as a “simple, regular individual” who would often exercise in his outdoor space, practicing strength training, with a neighbor mentioning he often parked inconveniently in front of her home. The family are believed to have moved to the semi-detached house, roughly two miles distant from the scene of the attack, approximately fifteen years back, when Shamie was nearing twenty years old. As the boys matured, the relatives made their home in the neighboring district. Son of a Trauma Surgeon The parent, Faraj al-Shamie, travelled the world as a emergency physician, operating in war-torn areas worldwide, including in Iraq, Afghanistan and South Sudan. He was engaged with humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, and received instruction from famous doctor David Nott in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Family Statement Faraj al-Shamie has separated the relatives from his child's violent actions, posting a declaration online that read: “Information coming from the Manchester area regarding the terrorist attack directed against a Hebrew temple has been a deeply disturbing for our family. “The Al-Shamie family both domestically and internationally vehemently denounces this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. We entirely dissociate our family from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow regarding these events. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we hope for their resilience and peace.” Private Situation Shamie had earlier served as an educator, teaching English and computer programming. Yet, records showed him jobless in official financial difficulty documents which revealed he sought financial assistance the previous September while residing with his parents. Only thirty days following, his dad uploaded an image of him alongside an infant, describing the photo “Excellent Addition to the Family”. Criminal Past Investigators reported that Shamie had been released pending rape allegations when he steered his modest automobile into worshippers at Heaton Park shul. The exact date is uncertain the reported incident took place but it is believed to have occurred recently. He was subject to ongoing scrutiny by Greater Manchester police. He had faced legal issues previously, based on reports, who said he had a criminal record for other less-serious offences. He was however not tracked by counter-terror police or protection organizations prior to the attack. Ideological Shift Following the violent incident, officials have been analyzing each element of his history to determine which influences directed him on the road to extremism. This involves reviewing communication data, checking the names of friends or associates, and reviewing his digital footprint. He seemed to have been obsessed on the challenges affecting Muslim populations in areas within the Arab world, especially lately regarding Gaza. A social media profile, suspected as his personal account has a firearm as its main image, alongside a white flower, and what appears to be a copy of the Qur’an. A single post on the inactive social media profile mentions the Manbij explosion in Syria in 2016, and appeals to divinity to “confront those who wronged and killed them.”