One of the two victims in the terror attack at a Manchester Synagogue sustained injury from police gunfire, Greater Manchester Police has confirmed.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died after Jihad Al-Shamie drove into a group of people outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall before stabbing a man. Greater Manchester police has confirmed that one of the men was wounded by police gunshots as they killed the perpetrator.
One of the three people hospitalised with serious injuries following the attack, which took place on Judaism’s holiest day, Yom Kippur, was also struck by police gunfire, GMP say.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson outlined: “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 believed the perpetrator did not have a firearm.
“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,” Sir Stephen Watson explained.
“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 response to yesterday’s (October 2) terror attack, police presence within Jewish communities in Salford has been stepped up.
This morning, Greater Manchester Police confirmed extra officers will be deployed to provide a “high visibility” presence within Jewish communities in Salford, as well as across North Manchester and Bury.
City of Manchester district commander Chief Superintendent David Meeney said: “We have taken this action to ensure that our Jewish communities and wider communities within Greater Manchester feel safe and reassured following yesterday’s tragic incident in Crumpsall.
“People in North Manchester, Bury, Salford, within Jewish communities, and around synagogues can expect to see uniformed officers on patrol in vehicles and on foot throughout today, into this evening, and over the weekend.
“They are there to reassure you and, whilst they may not be able to answer questions about the investigation, they will be happy to reassure you about the actions we are taking to ensure communities are safe and feel safe.
“We are conscious of the significance of Fridays and Saturdays in the Jewish faith, and will be doing everything we can to help communities mark Shabbat with their families and friends as they wish.”
Salford Royal was one of four hospitals in Greater Manchester put on lockdown following the attack, with some visitors temporarily unable to access the premises following the declaration of a major incident.
The hospital, which is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has since been reopened and is back to full functionality.
Northern Care Alliance are urging patients “to attend for their treatment and appointments as planned unless told otherwise by the service they are attending.”
An anonymous source confirmed that the hospital had been put on lockdown following the declaration of a major incident in response to the attack. Northern Care Alliance has since confirmed that Salford Royal Hospital was locked down “for a short time” yesterday morning.
Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot and killed by armed police officers within seven minutes of the initial call to police, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Sir Stephen Watson said.
He was wearing a vest which looked like an explosive device at the time of the attack, but after a bomb disposal unit was sent to the synagogue, the device was deemed inoperable.
Police have confirmed that two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were arrested yesterday and are being held in custody on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
The perpetrator, Al-Shamie, 35, is understood to have entered the UK as a young child and been granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16. He had not been referred to the Prevent programme – the government’s strategy to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
It is understood his name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records, and he is not thought to have been under investigation.
Although the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has said it is “too early” to say if there was a terrorist cell behind the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, however, yesterday police declared the attack a “terrorist incident.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, who is co-ordinating the casualty response, said: “My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time.
“Specially trained family liaison officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process.
“Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.”
Greater Manchester Police said while formal identification is yet to take place, the families of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, both from Crumpsall, have been informed and offered support by family liaison officers. Post-mortems will take place this morning.
GMP said officers were “working to understand the motivation behind the attack” and confirmed the killer had not been referred to the Government’s Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
Al-Shamie appears to have lived in Prestwich, around two miles from the scene.
His name is linked to a property in the town and a neighbour recognised his face from photographs of the synagogue attacker.
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