Details are gradually surfacing regarding the background of Jihad Al-Shamie, understood to be a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin.
The individual reportedly came to the UK as a young child and was granted UK nationality in 2006, at approximately the age of 16.
He lived in the Manchester area of Prestwich, and his relatives today issued a declaration stating: "We completely dissociate ourselves from this incident and express our deep shock and grief over what has occurred.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, and we pray for their fortitude and comfort."
Residents in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a weightlifting enthusiast who infrequently engaged with his those living nearby.
It was mentioned he would sometimes appear in casual attire and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian garments.
What has his relatives state?
Speaking for the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester concerning the terrorist attack aimed at a place of Jewish worship has been a deeply disturbing event to us.
"Our family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this atrocious deed, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.
"We fully separate ourselves from this attack and communicate our intense astonishment and sadness over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the injured and their kin, and we pray for their strength and peace.
"We ask that all media outlets honor the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from using this sad occurrence in any manner that does not represent the facts.
"May God have mercy on the innocent victims, and we pray for the quick healing of the injured."
What were local residents observing?
Geoff Haliwell resides near a residence in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is thought to be the Al-Shamie family home. It was searched by police officers on Thursday.
Mr Haliwell, 72, said the property used to be on his window-cleaning round and he was acquainted with the wider family "somewhat", saying they were "really nice people".
"I was astonished, I felt stunned," he said, mentioning that he believed the Al-Shamies relocated to the street approximately 15 years ago.
He indicated the father had resided there for five or six years but then departed from the residence, later returning in a vehicle with license plates from France.
He said Jihad Al-Shamie would at times wear western clothes and other times traditional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would use public seats to exercise.
He added: "I encountered him at least a couple of times a weekly, we just said 'greetings'.
"I was unaware of his identity.
"He was just a straightforward, ordinary lad, no indication would be noticeable to make you suspect he was different."
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A different resident remembered a infant also residing at the address but could not recall seeing a woman staying there.
She commented: "We often observed him out in the garden working out, doing weights, press ups.
"He used to change his outfits.
"One day he would be wearing the full-length robe, reaching the ground and the next jeans and pyjama bottoms."
Another resident informed the a newspaper: "I recognised him from the pictures of the attacker. I noticed his small vehicle, the Kia, because he'd always park it badly near our home.
"I observed him walking around in his pyjamas and casual footwear, carrying a bag from stores.
"He was quite bulked-up and often stored his fitness equipment in his garage. I noticed them there."
"He never seemed to talk to anybody around here," they concluded.
Was he known to authorities?
Al-Shamie's name has not been found in preliminary checks of law enforcement and intelligence agency counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been subject to ongoing scrutiny.
Additional inquiries are in progress to see if he is listed in any files of previous probes.
It has been mentioned Al-Shamie was previously employed as a instructor teaching the English language 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.
Speaking on a radio station, Ms Mahmood was asked about the individual's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which host Nick Ferrari interpreted as "struggle of the Syrian".
She responded: "It was unexpected to discover that name myself.
"Actually, as a Muslim, I've never heard someone being called Jihad, but it is the name that he was given at birth - that has consistently remained his name."
