Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that one of the victims of the Manchester synagogue attack was killed by police gunfire as officers confronted the attacker.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson said post-mortem examinations are under way, but initial evidence indicates one man sustained a fatal gunshot wound “as a tragic and unforeseen consequence” of police action. Another casualty is being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot injury.
Two worshippers were killed in total during the incident at Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur. They have been named as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz. Three other people remain in hospital.
The attacker, identified as 33-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, drove a car into members of the public before stabbing several victims. He was shot dead by armed officers at the scene. Police are treating the case as a terror attack.
Family and community response
Al-Shamie’s family issued a statement expressing “deep shock and sorrow” and condemning the “heinous act.” Three additional arrests have been made as part of the wider investigation.
Tributes have been paid to the victims, with neighbours describing Mr Daulby as “like an angel” and a man who was well known for helping others in the community.
Political reaction
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the synagogue with his wife Victoria, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. The Prime Minister also met officers and emergency responders at GMP headquarters, praising their “professionalism” during the incident.
The UK’s Chief Rabbi called the attack the “tragic result of an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred.” The Archbishop of Canterbury urged solidarity, stating that hatred and racism “cannot be allowed to tear us apart.”
Security concerns
Police forces across the country have stepped up patrols around Jewish sites. The Metropolitan Police has asked organisers of a pro-Palestinian protest in London this weekend to cancel, citing stretched resources and increased security demands. Organisers have said the protest will proceed but condemned the Manchester attack.
