Two people were killed and three were injured in England the morning of Oct. 2 after police said a man reportedly drove a vehicle at pedestrians outside a Jewish synagogue and at least one person was stabbed.

The attack happened at about 9:30 a.m. local time, authorities said. A person believed to be the attacker was shot by police when they responded to the incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, according to the Greater Manchester Police. Authorities later confirmed a third fatality was the suspected attacker.

In addition to the two victims killed, three people are in "serious condition," police said.

Photos and video from the scene showed a heavy law enforcement presence outside the synagogue. Earlier in the morning, police said the suspect had "suspicious items" and a bomb disposal unit had been called in. Investigators also heard a "loud noise" while entering the suspect's vehicle, police said, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Attack came on Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest holiday

The attack comes as Jewish people observe the holiday of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish faith, which began the evening of Oct. 1 and ends the evening of Oct. 2. There was "a large number" of people worshipping at the synagogue at the time of the attack. They have since been evacuated, police said.

Manchester police said they received a report from a witness who saw "a car being driven towards members of the public, & 1 man had been stabbed." Paramedics treated people on the scene for injuries from both the vehicle and stabbing, police said.

The witness' immediate report to law enforcement allowed police to prevent the suspect from entering the synagogue, police said.

"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident," the Greater Manchester Police said.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC that the immediate danger to the public appears to be over "and Greater Manchester Police have dealt with it very quickly."

UK Prime Minister Starmer decries 'horrific' attack

Officials decried the attack at a synagogue on the holiest holiday of the Jewish faith.

"I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall. The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," said United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."

Starmer said additional police would be deployed to synagogues throughout the country in the wake of the incident.

King Charles said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" to learn of the attack, "especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community."

There were 1,521 reports of antisemitic incidents in Britain in the first half of 2025, according to the Community Security Trust, a London-based Jewish security organization. That figure represents the second-highest number of anti-Jewish hate incidents in Britain recorded by the group in the first half of any year it has tracked them. The highest in any six-month period – 2,019 antisemitic incidents – was in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.

CST defines an antisemitic incident as any act aimed at Jewish people, organizations or property where there is evidence the victim, organization or property was targeted because they were or were believed to be Jewish. Those incidents can take the forms of physical attacks, verbal or written abuse and threats or antisemitic graffiti or posters.

About 30,000 Jewish people live in Manchester, according to The Jewish Telegraphic Agency, a news and analysis publication that's focused on issues of Jewish interest and concern.

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan said the Metropolitan Police would also be "stepping up high visibility policing in and around synagogues" because of the attack. And Emily Spurrell, the chair of Britain’s Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said in a statement that police across the country were deploying more security resources to synagogues to "reassure Jewish communities."

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 dead in attack on synagogue in Manchester, UK, police say

Reporting by Jeanine Santucci and Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect