🔗 Share this article Who became the city of Manchester synagogue assailant? The suspect rarely spoke with his neighbors, a local said. Information are gradually surfacing regarding the life of Jihad Al-Shamie, known to be a thirty-five-year-old UK national of Syrian origin. The individual reportedly entered the UK as a young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006, at approximately the age of 16. He lived in the Manchester area of Prestwich, and his relatives recently issued a statement stating: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this incident and convey our deep shock and grief over what has happened. "Our sympathies and thoughts are with the those affected and their families, and we hope for their fortitude and solace." Residents in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who infrequently interacted with his those living nearby. They said he would sometimes appear in casual attire and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian garments. What has 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 targeting a place of Jewish worship has been a deeply disturbing event to us. "Our family in the UK and abroad vehemently denounces this atrocious deed, which affected non-combatant individuals. "We entirely separate ourselves from this assault and communicate our deep shock and sorrow over what has transpired. Our condolences and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their resilience and peace. "We kindly request that all press organizations honor the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from using this tragic event in any context that does not reflect the facts. "May God have mercy on the blameless individuals, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured." Memorials have been left close to the scene of the incident. What were local residents say? Geoff Haliwell resides close to a house in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is believed to be the Al-Shamie family home. It was raided by police officers on Thursday. Mr Haliwell, 72, explained the dwelling was previously on his window-cleaning round and he knew the extended family "somewhat", saying they were "pleasant individuals". "I was astonished, I felt stunned," he said, adding that he thought the Al-Shamies moved to the area about 15 years ago. He said the father had lived there for several years but then left the residence, later returning in a vehicle with license plates from France. He said Jihad Al-Shamie would at times be seen in western clothes and on other occasions conventional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would use public seats to work out. He added: "I encountered him at least once or twice a weekly, we just exchanged 'hello'. "I didn't even know his identity. "He was just a straightforward, ordinary lad, nothing would be noticeable to make you think he was different." Stay updated: Two individuals fatally injured in the Manchester incident identified A different resident remembered a baby also residing at the address but could not remember noticing a female living there. She commented: "We used to see him outside in the yard working out, doing weights, push-ups. "He used to change his clothes. "On one occasion he would be dressed in the full gown, reaching the ground and the following day jeans and pyjama bottoms." Another resident told the a newspaper: "I identified him from the images of the attacker. I recognised his little car, the Kia, because he'd consistently park it badly near our home. "I observed him walking around in his sleepwear and casual footwear, holding a bag from stores. "He was quite muscular and often stored his exercise weights in his car port. I noticed them there." "He did not appear to speak to anybody in this vicinity," they concluded. Was he known to officials? Al-Shamie's name has not been found in preliminary checks of police and security service counter-terrorism records, and he is not believed to have been subject to ongoing scrutiny. Additional inquiries are under way to see if he is listed anywhere files of other investigations. There are reports Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor teaching English and coding, and his parent is a surgeon. The interior minister Shabana Mahmood stated she was "taken aback" by the name of the assailant. Speaking on LBC, Ms Mahmood was questioned about the attacker's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which presenter Nick Ferrari translated as "struggle of the Syrian". She responded: "I was very surprised to discover that designation myself. "In fact, as a follower of Islam, I have not encountered someone being named Jihad, but it is the name that he was born with - that has always been his name."