Police have disclosed that one of the individuals who lost their life in the recent assault on a Jewish synagogue was fatally shot by law enforcement officers.
Identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian origin, the perpetrator was shot and killed by armed officers shortly after fatally stabbing two men on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, at Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.
The victims were later identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, with three others sustaining severe injuries and currently hospitalized.
While an official post-mortem examination is pending, preliminary findings indicate that one of the victims suffered a gunshot wound. The Greater Manchester Police did not confirm if this wound, sustained behind the synagogue’s barricaded doors, was the fatal injury.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson remarked that a Home Office Pathologist’s initial assessment suggested that one victim had a wound consistent with a gunshot injury. It is believed that the suspect did not possess a firearm, and the shots were fired by the police officers to prevent further harm to the Jewish community during the incident.
Additionally, one of the hospitalized victims was also found to have a gunshot wound, though not life-threatening. The chief constable mentioned that it is likely both victims were in close proximity behind the synagogue door as they tried to thwart the attacker’s entry.
In connection with the attack, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been detained on suspicion of involvement in acts of terror. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the site of the incident alongside his wife, showing solidarity with worshippers during Friday prayers.
The incident continues to be under investigation, with support being provided to the affected families and the wider community. Authorities urge the public to stay updated on the evolving situation through various news platforms.