More details emerge over Manchester synagogue attack as police release update
Police have released another update on the tragic Manchester synagogue attack which happened in Crumpsall yesterday morning (2 October), naming the two men who were killed.
Yesterday, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a man had been shot and killed following an attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, which killed two people and left three in critical condition.
After responding to calls about a car being driven at pedestrians in the Middleton Road area in Crumpsall at 9.30am, authorities confirmed the attack, and later classified it as a 'terrorist incident'.
Five people were confirmed to have been injured in the aftermath of the incident, including a security guard. Meanwhile, it was reported that the suspect was shot as police believed he had an explosive device on him.
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The man has since been named as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, with the force revealing that its 'records do not show any previous Prevent referrals relating to this individual'.
Al-Shamie was believed to have moved to the UK as a child, gaining citizenship in 2006, while three other people have also been arrested on suspicion of planning the terror attack.
GMP revealed that one of the three people hospitalised after the attack was recovering from stab wounds, while another was hit by a moving vehicle.
The third person is believed to have shown up at the hospital with 'an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker'.
Now, the two men who were tragically killed in the terror attack have been named - Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, who died after Jihad Al-Shamie drove into a group of people outside the place of worship.
Al-Shamie would be shot dead by police just seven minutes after officers were told of the attack in Crumpsall, which happened on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day.
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, who has been coordinating the casualty response, stated: “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.”
Formal identification has not taken place yet, but both families have been informed of their deaths and offered support by family liaison officers.
This morning (3 October), extra GMP officers are providing a 'high visibility' presence in the North Manchester, Bury, and Salford areas, specifically within Jewish communities and around synagogues.
City of Manchester district commander Chief Superintendent David Meeney added: “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.”
Police are currently working to uncover the motivation behind the acts, after revealing that Al-Shamie hadn't been referred to the Government’s Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
Al-Shamie is said to have lived in Prestwich, around two miles from the scene.
Joshua Nair