Two worshippers have been killed and three others seriously injured after a car ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police have now admitted that one of the victims may have died from gunfire fired by armed officers during efforts to stop the attacker.
The two men who lost their lives were named as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both from Crumpsall. Greater Manchester police said specialist family liaison officers were supporting their loved ones.
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The attacker, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, drove a car into congregants before stabbing others on Thursday morning. He was shot dead by armed police at the scene. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack.
Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi said the community was “shattered” by the events, describing the attack as “an awful blow” on a day of solemn reflection and prayer. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said:
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“What transpired yesterday was an awful blow to us, something which actually we were fearing might happen because of the build-up to this action. This is a very dark time not only for Jews in Britain but for our whole society.”
Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary sought to reassure Britain’s Jewish community, promising increased police presence at synagogues and pledging further resources to tackle antisemitism.
“I do not want Jewish people in our country to feel they have to live a smaller Jewish life,” she said.
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On Friday, Greater Manchester police confirmed that forensic examinations indicated one of the victims may have been struck by police gunfire.
Stephen Watson, chief constable said “The only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community. It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers.”
Police believe the two men were sheltering behind a synagogue door, attempting to block the attacker’s entry, when the fatal gunfire occurred. The force has not confirmed whether Mr Daulby or Mr Cravitz was the victim of the police bullet.
Three other victims remain in hospital. One sustained a gunshot wound, another was stabbed, and a third was struck by the attacker’s vehicle. Post-mortem examinations are under way.
The attack unfolded at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Manchester suburb of Crumpsall. Armed officers responded within minutes after receiving reports that a car had been driven into worshippers outside the synagogue.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the site on Friday, where he condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with Manchester’s Jewish community.
Meanwhile, police investigations are continuing “at pace”, with counter-terrorism officers examining whether Al-Shamie acted alone. The Home Secretary said it was “too early” to say if there was a wider network behind the attack.
As the community mourns, Rabbi Mirvis urged unity: “Our responsibility is to make sure our Jewish community, our citizens, can go about their lives with safety and security.”
