Greater Manchester Police confirm one victim of the Heaton Park Synagogue terror attack may have been accidentally shot by officers during efforts to stop the attacker.
Police in the UK have confirmed new details about the tragic terror attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester that left two people dead and three others injured.
The victims have been identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. The attacker, later named as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police after driving a car into pedestrians and stabbing members of the public outside the synagogue.
Police Statement Reveals Possible Accidental Shooting
On October 3, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that one of the victims may have been accidentally shot by officers during the chaos.
“The Home Office Pathologist has provisionally determined that one of the deceased victims suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury,” Watson explained.
He added that the attacker did not have a firearm, and the only shots fired came from GMP’s armed officers, who were attempting to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue and causing further bloodshed.
Tragically, the victim is believed to have been struck by police fire while worshippers bravely blocked the synagogue doors. Another injured victim, currently in hospital, is also being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound believed to have been caused in the same incident.
Community in Mourning
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with all of the families, and the wider community, impacted by this incident,” Watson said. He praised worshippers and first responders for their bravery during the attack.
Specialist officers are now supporting survivors, victims’ families, and emergency personnel who were involved in the response.
Attacker’s Family Issues Statement
The family of Jihad Al-Shamie released a statement through Reuters, condemning the synagogue attack and expressing shock at his actions:
“The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities continue to investigate the full sequence of events and forensic experts are working to confirm whether police gunfire was responsible for one victim’s death.
This tragic attack has left Manchester’s Jewish community shaken, while leaders and citizens across the UK express solidarity and grief.