Heaton Park Synagogue Incident: One Victim Appears to Have Been Fired Upon by Officers
In a tragic development, one of the victims lost during the Heaton Park synagogue attack appears to have been fatally wounded by law enforcement personnel.
Police Announcement Confirms Firearm Injury
The senior officer of Greater Manchester Police announced that the Home Office pathologist has provisionally determined the victim died of a gunshot wound.
“We sought guidance overnight from forensic specialists ahead of full postmortem examinations set to occur later today. The expert has advised that he has provisionally determined a victim likely sustained a wound matching a gunshot injury.”
Attacker Information
The assailant, Jihad al-Shamie, was not carrying a gun, and the only shots fired were by authorized firearms personnel on site.
It is believed the victim was among those positioned at the entrance trying to stop the attacker from entering the building.
Consequences of Police Action
“It follows therefore pending further forensic examination, the wound was unfortunately incurred as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by our personnel to halt this brutal assault.”
Names Released
Both individuals who lost their lives at Heaton Park synagogue in north Manchester earlier this week were identified as Adrian Daulby, aged 53 and Melvin Cravitz, 66 years old.
These individuals were killed when a vehicle was employed to crash through the property of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, then stabbed worshippers in a brief violent spree that concluded after police with firearms shot at him twice, killing him near the synagogue entrance.
Additional Injuries
Three more people were seriously injured in the attack on Yom Kippur, the most sacred occasion in the Jewish calendar.
The chief constable added, “Medical professionals have informed us that another injured person now hospitalized has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is fortunately non-fatal. It is believed the two individuals were close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to stop the assailant from getting inside.”
Community Support
“Our thoughts and prayers are directed toward the affected relatives, and broader public, touched by these events across Greater Manchester and beyond. Specialist officers are providing support and care for all of those directly affected, including the courageous emergency teams.”
Suspect Background
Authorities identified the perpetrator as Shamie, thirty-five, a British citizen of Syrian origin.
Greater Manchester police said that three additional individuals – two male suspects and a woman in her 60s – had been arrested “for alleged commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism”.
More details to follow ...
