The 35-year-old, who was shot dead by police after driving into pedestrians and attempting to enter Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation during Yom Kippur, was reportedly using the Muslim dating app Muzz under the name “J.” On the platform, he described himself as a data analyst of “Syrian mixed heritage.”
One of his wives told the Daily Mail that she met Al-Shamie in 2021 through the app and married him in a short online ceremony during the COVID lockdown. She later discovered he was still married to his first wife, Ikra Sulehman. Their marriage quickly deteriorated, and she said he refused to grant a divorce, calling her requests “a natural emotional reaction.”
The woman said Al-Shamie was controlling and verbally abusive. “One minute he can talk nice, then it’s like flipping a switch,” she said, adding that he would appear unannounced at her home. Despite this behavior, she told reporters she did not believe he was capable of violence.
Al-Shamie later married a third woman, Elizabeth Davis, a 35-year-old NHS employee with five children.
Police said Al-Shamie attacked Jewish worshippers gathered at the synagogue on Oct. 2, killing two people and injuring three others. He was armed with a knife and wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest. He was shot by police at the scene.
The victims have been identified as Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53. Daulby is believed to have been struck by police gunfire as he attempted to block the synagogue doors.
Al-Shamie was brought to the UK as a child and was given citizenship in 2006. In the terror attack, he drove his car at Jews outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue then got out of the vehicle and stabbed people. Three other people were arrested in connection with the attack.
"The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him," said a witness. "He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue. He was in the courtyard. Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock."
Officers shot and killed him at the scene of the crime. The attack began about 9:30 am and officers were deployed minutes later. Shots were fired by officers at 9:38 am and the suspect was neutralized.
Police later revealed that of the two who were killed, one suffered from a gunshot and officers were the only ones with firearms on the scene. A victim currently recovering in the hospital also suffered a gunshot wound, meaning officers killed the terrorist, a civilian, and injured one other.
MI5 has not confirmed any operational ties between Al-Shamie and the Islamic State group.
