Manchester synagogue attack: 3 injured victims recovering, 3 dead

Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA) Peter Byrne

Manchester Coroner's Court immediately adjourned an inquest into the death of Jihad Al-Shamie on Friday, opening it moments before. The 35-year-old Syrian-born UK citizen died from multiple gunshot wounds after attacking worshippers at a Manchester synagogue on October 2.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes told the hearing: "Armed police attended the incident and discharged several rounds at the suspected terrorist."

Attack details

Al-Shamie drove a Kia Picanto into a security guard and the entrance gate of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall at around 9:30 am. Hughes described how CCTV shows the attacker "driving a vehicle into a security guard and the external gate and wall at the synagogue entrance, and then subsequently attacking worshippers and security staff with a knife."

When armed police arrived at 9:38 am, Al-Shamie "ran towards them aggressively while carrying a knife and wearing what clearly presented as a suicide belt." Officers opened fire, and "Al-Shamie sustained multiple bullet wounds and collapsed to the ground." Medical staff pronounced him dead seven hours later due to concerns about potential explosives.

Three victims killed

The attack during Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day, resulted in three deaths. Hughes confirmed: "As a result of this incident, three people have lost their lives, which includes two victims and the suspected terrorist."

Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from multiple knife wounds. Adrian Daulby, 53, died from a gunshot wound to the chest while holding the synagogue doors shut.

Injured victims recovering

Three others sustained serious injuries. Hughes detailed: "Three other victims were very seriously injured, which consisted of a security guard struck by the vehicle, a worshipper completing security duties, outside, who was stabbed, and another worshipper, inside, who also sustained a gunshot injury."

He added: "Whilst all received very serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, all are recovering and it is not anticipated that there will be any further loss of life arising from this incident."

Inquest adjourned

Chief Coroner Judge Alexia Durran adjourned the hearing until a pre-inquest review on February 19. She told attendees: "Today is not the day to test or ask questions of Mr Hughes about his evidence. There will be time at the inquest hearing to do so."

Representatives from police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and Counter Terrorism Policing North West attended the hearing.

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).