Victim In Manchester Terror Attack Was Shot By Police Through Synagogue Door

It turns out that one of the victims who died in the Manchester synagogue terror attack was mistakenly shot by armed officers, police have said.

Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, burst into Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester after first ramming his Kia into a man at the synagogue entrance. He got out and began stabbing people before eventually being shot dead by police.

Unfortunately, one of the two victim fatalities was caused by police shooting through the synagogue as they tried to put a stop to Al-Shamie’s onslaught.

Chief Constable for Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, said: ‘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.

‘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.’

Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were named as the victims who died during the attack, but it’s unclear which of the men was shot by police and which was killed by Al-Shamie.

Three other men remain in hospital after the attack, and get this – one of them also a gunshot wound, which means police must have accidentally shot him too. Fortunately, the man’s  injuries have been deemed to be non life-threatening. As for the other two hospitalised men; one suffered a stab wound and the other was struck by Al-Shamie’s car.

The full statement from Greater Manchester Police is as follows:

‘Following the terrorist incident yesterday at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, Middleton Road, Crumpsall; further and urgent enquiries continue. Overnight, we have taken advice from the Home Office Pathologist ahead of full post mortem examinations scheduled for later today.

‘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.

‘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.’

Sir Stephen Watson QPM
Chief Constable

Big up to Greater Manchester Police for responding so quickly to the situation (they were there within minutes), it’s just too bad they managed to shoot two innocent people and kill one of them in the process. Obviously it will have been highly chaotic and these things can happen, but we’ll have to wait and see what further investigation uncovers.

For the man who accidentally set himself on fire while trying to burn down a synagogue, click HERE.