🔗 Share this article Who was the city of Manchester synagogue assailant? The suspect rarely conversed with his neighbors, a local said. Information are gradually surfacing about the background of Jihad Al-Shamie, understood to be a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin. Al-Shamie apparently entered the UK as a young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006, at approximately the age of 16. He resided in Prestwich, Manchester, and his relatives recently issued a declaration saying: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this incident and convey our deep shock and sorrow over what has occurred. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, and we hope 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 occasionally appear in casual attire and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian garments. What has his family say? On behalf the Al-Shamie household both domestically and internationally, Faraj Al-Shamie commented: "The news from Manchester concerning the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us. "The Al-Shamie family everywhere strongly condemns this atrocious deed, which affected peaceful, innocent civilians. "We entirely distance ourselves from this assault and express our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and sentiments are with the injured and their kin, and we pray for their resilience and peace. "We ask that all press organizations honor the family's privacy during this extremely challenging time and refrain from using this sad occurrence in any manner that does not reflect the truth. "We hope God have mercy on the blameless individuals, and we hope for the swift recovery of the injured." Memorials have been placed near the scene of the attack. What were local residents say? Geoff Haliwell lives close to 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, said the dwelling used to be on his window-cleaning round and he was acquainted with the wider family "a little", noting they were "pleasant individuals". "I was taken aback, I felt stunned," he said, mentioning that he thought the Al-Shamies relocated to the area approximately 15 years ago. He indicated the father had resided there for several years but then left the residence, later returning in a car with license plates from France. He observed Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes be seen in modern clothing and other times conventional Syrian dress. He also said Al-Shamie would use public seats to exercise. He continued: "I would see him no less than once or twice a weekly, we just said 'hello'. "I was unaware of his name. "He was just a straightforward, regular young man, nothing would stand out to make you think he was anything unusual." Follow live: Two men fatally injured in Manchester synagogue attack identified A different resident recalled a infant also living at the address but could not remember seeing a female living there. She commented: "We often observed him outside in the yard exercising, lifting weights, press ups. "He frequently altered his outfits. "One day he would be wearing the full-length robe, reaching the ground and the following day denim and pyjama bottoms." Another resident told the a newspaper: "I identified him from the pictures of the attacker. I noticed his little car, the Kia, because he'd always park it incorrectly near our home. "I observed him strolling in his pyjamas and slip-on sandals, carrying a shopping bag. "He appeared bulked-up and often stored his fitness equipment in his car port. I'd see them there." "He never seemed to speak to anyone around here," they added. Had he been known to authorities? The individual's identity has not been found in initial searches of law enforcement and security service databases, and he is not believed to have been under current investigation. Further checks are in progress to determine if he is listed in any files of previous probes. It has been mentioned Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor teaching English and coding, and his parent is a medical doctor. The interior minister Shabana Mahmood said she was "taken aback" by the name of the assailant. Commenting on a radio station, Ms Mahmood was asked about the individual's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which host Nick Ferrari interpreted as "conflict related to Syria". She said: "It was unexpected to learn that designation myself. "Actually, as a Muslim, I have not encountered anyone being called Jihad, but it is the name that he was given at birth - that has consistently remained his identity."