The two people who died in an attack at a synagogue in Manchester have been named as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz. The two Jewish men were killed after a man drove a car at members of the public before stabbing people.
Greater Manchester Police said today that one of the victims killed in the attack was hit by police gunfire as they shot the attacker. The attack is being treated as a terror incident.
Both men, from Crumpsall, where the attack took place, were hit by bullets as they blocked Al-Shamie from entering Heaton Park Synagogue on Thursday morning. Police said that both victims were “close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.”
Three people remain in hospital, with another person being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to police.
Police believe the attacker is Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent. The BBC reports that it is understood Al-Shamie entered the UK as a young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006 as a minor. He was shot dead by police seven minutes after officers were alerted to the attack yesterday morning.
He had been wearing “a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device,” according to police chief Sir Stephen Watson. However, the force later confirmed that it was not viable.
Three other suspects have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism – two men in their thirties and a woman in her sixties.
Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson said:
“Following the terrorist incident yesterday at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, Middleton Road, Crumpsall; further and urgent enquiries continue. Overnight, we have taken advice from the Home Office Pathologist ahead of full post mortem examinations scheduled for later today.
“The Home Office Pathologist has advised that he has provisionally determined, that one of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.
“It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and 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 to bring this vicious attack to an end.
“We have also been advised by medical professionals that one of the three victims currently receiving treatment in hospital, has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is mercifully not life threatening. It is believed that both victims were close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with all of the families, and the wider community, impacted by this incident across Greater Manchester and beyond. Specialist officers are providing support and care for all of those directly affected, including our brave first responders.”
In a statement, the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland said it expressed deep shock and sorrow at the “brutal” attack on worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
“To target a synagogue, a house of peace and prayer, on the holiest day of the Jewish year is an act of hatred and antisemitism that strikes at the heart of Jewish life everywhere. We extend our prayers and condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and to all who have been injured and traumatised.
“This was not only an attack on the Jewish community of Manchester, but an attack on freedom of faith and the values of decency, safety, and respect that underpin all democratic societies.”
The statement added: “We stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community of Manchester and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and we call on governments, law enforcement, and civic leaders across Europe to ensure that synagogues and Jewish communal institutions are afforded the highest levels of protection.
“In Ireland, we know that the reverberations of such violence are felt far beyond borders. No community should have to worship in fear. Hatred must be confronted wherever it festers, and unity across faiths and communities is the strongest answer to terror.”
In a statement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I utterly condemn the appalling attack that left two dead, and others seriously injured outside a synagogue in Manchester, on the holy day of Yom Kippur. There must be zero tolerance for hatred or violence in any form.”
President Michael D. Higgins said in a statement: “All those who value life will be appalled at the horrific attack on Yom Kippur on a synagogue in Manchester which has taken the lives of two people.
“I join with all those who have condemned this attack on the Jewish community in Britain, a community that has a proud tradition in the history of human rights.
“May I express my condolences to the relatives of those who have been killed and to other members of the Jewish community, and wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.”