Police confirmed an attack at a synagogue in Manchester, north of England, on Thursday morning that left two people dead and three others seriously injured is being treated as a “terrorist incident.” The suspect was shot dead at the scene.“Based on what we know, counterterrorism policing has declared this is a terrorist incident. We will ensure every piece of intelligence and line of inquiry is interrogated,” said assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor during a press briefing outside New Scotland Yard, the police headquarters in London.[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]Taylor said the police are confident they know the attacker’s identity, but “for safety reasons at the scene, we’re unable to confirm at this stage.”In addition to the suspect being fatally shot by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) firearms officers, two additional arrests have been made.Police have asked the public to “remain vigilant” as investigations continue and to report anything that “doesn’t feel right.”What do we know about the attack at the Manchester synagogue?Police first responded to a call at 9:31 a.m., local time, on Thursday morning outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area of northern Manchester, where attendees were honoring the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur.The caller reported a suspect driving a car towards members of the public, followed by at least one person being stabbed. The suspect was then shot dead by armed police officers at around 9:38 a.m. and paramedics arrived at the scene shortly thereafter.GMP initially said it couldn’t be confirmed if the suspect had died “due to safety issues surround[ing] suspicious items on his person.” A bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the scene of the crime. The authorities later confirmed the suspect was deceased.Per the GMP, “a loud noise was heard at the scene as specialist resources gained entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.”TIME has reached out to GMP for confirmation on whether any controlled explosions occurred at the scene.Police reported that “a large number of people” were at the Synagogue for Yom Kippur, and that a member of the public who witnessed the event responded quickly. This “allowed swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue.”A helicopter from the British Armed Force’s Special Air Service (SAS) was seen flying over the crime scene. The chopper, often referred to as “Blue Thunder,” is used by the military in counter-terrorism deployments.The use of the helicopter is typically approved by government officials ahead of a COBRA meeting, which the U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other cabinet members are due to attend on Thursday afternoon.COBRA meetings are described as “high-level co-ordination and decision making in the event of major or catastrophic emergencies,” by the British government.Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the British royal family lead tributes in wake of attack“I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall [Greater Manchester]. The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific,” said Starmer, who left a meeting in Denmark early upon hearing of the incident on Thursday morning.Starmer will chair an emergency meeting once back in London and has deployed “additional police assets” to synagogues across the country in light of the attack. “We will do everything we can to keep our Jewish community safe,” he said.King Charles III said that himself and Queen Camilla are “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack.“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services,” said the British monarchy in a statement shared with TIME.Prince William and Kate Middleton have also said they are “thinking of” the Jewish community following the “shocking” incident.“Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack at Heaton Park Synagogue. The fact that this tragedy occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more shocking,” read a statement from the royal couple. “We are thinking of the entire community as well as the emergency responders who attended this terrible incident.”The Israeli embassy in the U.K. has condemned the act of violence.“That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing,” a statement from the embassy reads.“Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day,” said Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. “We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.”Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader for England and Wales, said his party “stands with the Jewish community and everyone affected.”Polanski, who is Jewish and grew up in Manchester, added: “So many of us are feeling the horrific scenes today that all come at a time of rising antisemitism.”Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch called the attack “vile and disgusting,” stating that Jewish families attending the synagogue were “targets for violence.” “My heart goes out to all those hurt and affected. I know many in our Jewish community will feel shaken. They deserve to know they are not alone,” she said.