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Among local residents, Jihad al-Shamie appeared to live a relatively normal daily routine: a new father who lifted weights and often parked poorly in front of the home he resided alongside his family.

The son of an emergency surgeon, Shamie was thought to experience a positive upbringing, with brothers coming after him who eventually built successful careers in computing and pharmaceutical sciences.

However, after his death after carrying out a lethal assault targeting Jewish worshippers, a more complete understanding has come to light. It has been learned that Shamie was previously declared insolvency, previously sentenced for petty crimes and an alleged rapist when he set upon worshippers marking Yom Kippur.

A Normal Childhood

Jihad al-Shamie had what appeared to be a conventional upbringing in Manchester in the 1990s. In home videos made for his grandfather in Syria, he cuddles a cat in the family garden, telling his father he wishes to give it food; in different footage he helps his sibling on a playground equipment in the yard.

Shamie was raised alongside brothers born after him, the relatives going on trips to Camelot theme park, animal park and the shopping complex, and the siblings were involved in school nativity plays during the festive season.

Where they once lived, near the healthcare institution where Shamie’s parent was employed, local residents recalled a “typical young child” who was member of a “respectable home”.

He would interact positively with peers on the road, and the sole peculiar aspect someone remembered was that he spent most of the day using portable gaming devices – so much that it caused excessive blinking.

“The family seemed fine, the dad had employment nearby, he came across as friendly, regularly conversed with me. They were just a nice family, the mother always chatted to us. The boy would play games, he’d play it all day, he used to blink a lot.”

‘A Regular Young Man’

Residents living in his peaceful neighborhood in Prestwich portrayed him as a “simple, regular individual” who would regularly train in his yard area, practicing strength training, with someone noting he often parked inconveniently in front of her home.

The relatives apparently transferred to the attached residence, roughly two miles distant from the location of the incident, about 15 years ago, when Shamie was about to turn 20. While the brothers were growing up, the household resided in the adjacent area.

Child of a Medical Specialist

His father, Faraj al-Shamie, journeyed internationally as a emergency physician, working in conflict zones internationally, including in Iraq, Afghanistan and South Sudan. He previously worked for NGOs, such as the Red Cross international branch, and trained with the eminent surgeon David Nott in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

Household's Position

Faraj al-Shamie has distanced the family from his son’s attack, publishing a message through social media that read: “The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack directed against a Hebrew temple has been a profound shock to us.

“Our family unit locally and overseas strongly condemns this heinous act, which was aimed at harmless, non-combatant individuals. We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow regarding these events. We offer our condolences to those affected and their relatives, and we wish them fortitude and solace.”

Private Situation

Shamie had formerly been employed as an instructor, teaching English and computer programming. Still, documentation indicated he lacked employment in state bankruptcy files which indicated he applied for debt management the previous September while living at the family home. Only thirty days following, his parent shared a photograph of him with a recently born child, labeling the image “Excellent Addition to the Family”.

Criminal Past

Authorities disclosed that Shamie was on police bail for rape when he operated his compact dark vehicle into congregation members at the synagogue. The timing remains unclear the alleged sex attack happened but it is understood to have been this year. He was being thoroughly examined by regional authorities.

He had faced legal issues previously, according to sources, who mentioned his previous convictions for other less-serious offences. He was however not tracked by security services or intelligence agencies prior to the attack.

Ideological Shift

In the hours since the attack, officials have been analyzing each element of his history to understand who, or what, delivered him on the path to terror. That includes examining phone records, checking the names of friends or associates, and examining his internet history.

He reportedly became preoccupied on the challenges affecting Muslim populations in certain Middle Eastern regions, especially lately regarding Gaza. An X account, suspected as his personal account has a weapon as its display photo, paired with botanical elements, and what appears to be a copy of the Qur’an.

A single post on the inactive social media profile references the bombing of Manbij in Syria in 2016, and requests heavenly intervention to “oppose people who injured and slain them.”