'A profound shock to us' Details of attacker's background emerge

Hannah Al-Othman Josh Halliday Emine Sinmaz

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Jihad al-Shamie appeared to his neighbours to live a relatively normal life: a new father who lifted weights and parked his car inconsiderately outside the home he shared with his parents.

But since he was shot dead after carrying out a deadly antisemitic attack at a synagogue near his home, a fuller picture has emerged.

A normal childhood

Shamie had what appeared to be a normal childhood for a man who grew up in Manchester in the 1990s. In a home video, recorded to send to his grandfather in Syria, he cuddles a cat in the back garden of the family home, telling his father he wants to feed it.

Shamie grew up with two younger brothers, the family enjoying days out to Camelot theme park, Chester zoo and the Trafford Centre; the boys taking part in school nativity plays at Christmas.

An 'ordinary lad'

Neighbours on Shamie's suburban street in Prestwich described him as a "straightforward, ordinary lad" who would often exercise in his front garden, lifting weights. One complained he often parked his car "badly" outside her house.