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Information are gradually surfacing about the life of Jihad Al-Shamie, known to be a thirty-five-year-old UK national of Syrian origin.

The individual reportedly came to the UK as a young child and received UK nationality in 2006, at approximately the age of 16.

He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his relatives today issued a statement saying: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this incident and convey our profound dismay and sorrow over what has occurred.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their fortitude and solace."

Residents in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who rarely engaged with his neighbors.

They said he would sometimes dress in western clothes and other times in "traditional" Syrian dress.

What has his family say?

On behalf the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a place of Jewish worship has been a deeply disturbing event to us.

"The Al-Shamie family everywhere strongly condemns this atrocious deed, which affected peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We fully separate ourselves from this assault and express our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and sentiments are with the victims and their kin, and we wish for their strength and comfort.

"We kindly request that all media outlets respect the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from employing this tragic event in any manner that does not represent the facts.

"May God shows compassion on the blameless individuals, and we hope for the swift recovery of the injured."

What did local residents say?

Geoff Haliwell lives near 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, said the dwelling was previously on his cleaning route and he knew the wider family "a little", saying they were "pleasant individuals".

"I was astonished, I was shocked," he said, mentioning that he believed the Al-Shamies relocated to the street approximately 15 years ago.

He indicated the father had lived there for several years but then left the home, subsequently visiting in a car with French number plates.

He said Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes wear modern clothing and other times traditional Syrian dress. He also said Al-Shamie would use public seats to work out.

He added: "I encountered him at least once or twice a weekly, we just exchanged 'greetings'.

"I was unaware of his identity.

"He seemed like a ordinary, ordinary lad, nothing would stand out to make you suspect he was anything unusual."

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A different resident remembered a baby also living at the address but could not recall seeing a female living there.

She commented: "We often observed him out in the garden working out, doing weights, push-ups.

"He frequently altered his clothes.

"On one occasion he would be wearing the full-length robe, to the floor and the next denim and pyjama bottoms."

One more local informed the Daily Telegraph: "I recognised him from the images of the attacker. I recognised his small vehicle, the Kia, because he'd always park it badly outside ours.

"I'd see him strolling in his pyjamas and casual footwear, holding a shopping bag.

"He was quite muscular and often stored his exercise weights in his garage. I noticed them there."

"He did not appear to talk to anybody in this vicinity," they concluded.

Had he been known to authorities?

Al-Shamie's name has not appeared in preliminary checks of police and intelligence agency counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.

Additional inquiries are under way to determine if he is listed anywhere files of other investigations.

It has been mentioned Al-Shamie was previously employed as a instructor teaching English and computer programming, and his parent is a medical doctor.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated she was "surprised" by the name of the assailant.

Commenting on LBC, Ms Mahmood was questioned about the individual's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which host Nick Ferrari interpreted as "conflict related to Syria".

She said: "It was unexpected to discover that designation myself.

"In fact, as a follower of Islam, I have not encountered someone being called Jihad, but it is the title that he was given at birth - that has consistently remained his identity."