One victim of Manchester synagogue terror attack 'died after accidentally being shot by police'

It has been confirmed by Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson that one of the victims of the Manchester synagogue terror attack died after seemingly being injured as a result of a police gunshot.

On Thursday (2 October), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that a man had been shot and killed by officers following a knife attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

Two people were killed as a result of the attack, with three left in critical condition.

Authorities responded to calls about a car being driven at pedestrians in the Middleton Road area in Crumpsall at 9.30am, later confirming the attack and classifying it as a 'terrorist incident'.

One of the five people injured was confirmed to be a security guard, while it was reported that the suspect was shot as police believed he had an explosive device strapped to his waist.

The suspect has since been named as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.

Speaking about the deceased victim, Watson explained full post-mortem examinations are scheduled for later today, stating: “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 currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al-Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and 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.

“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,” he concluded, before sending his thoughts out to the families and the wider community.

The names of the two victims were revealed by authorities to be Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.

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."

GMO confirmed that one of the three people hospitalised after the attack was recovering from stab wounds, while another was hit by a moving vehicle.

As for the suspect, it was said that upon assessing Al-Shamie's past records, GMP stated that they '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.