Yesterday, police revealed that one of the individuals who lost their lives in the recent attack on a Jewish synagogue was fatally shot by law enforcement officers. Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian origin, was gunned down by armed police shortly after fatally stabbing two men during Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, at the Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.
The victims were identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, with three other individuals sustaining severe injuries and currently receiving treatment in the hospital. While an official post-mortem examination is pending, initial assessments indicated that one victim had suffered a gunshot wound. The police clarified that it is yet to be confirmed if the gunshot wound, sustained possibly behind the synagogue’s barricaded doors, caused the fatality.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson disclosed that a Home Office Pathologist’s preliminary findings suggested that one victim had a wound consistent with a gunshot injury. He emphasized that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not armed, and the gunfire came solely from the officers aiming to thwart the assailant’s entry into the synagogue and prevent further harm to the Jewish community.
Furthermore, it was revealed that one of the hospitalized victims also had a gunshot wound, which fortunately was not deemed life-threatening. The victims had reportedly gathered near the synagogue door, courageously resisting the attacker’s advance.
In connection with the incident, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in terror-related activities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the scene of the attack, accompanied by his wife, as worshippers congregated for Friday prayers.
The community affected by this tragic event, both in Greater Manchester and beyond, continues to receive support from specialized officers. The police are extending care to the impacted families and first responders, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
