One of the victims killed yesterday at Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue was hit by police gunfire, Greater Manchester Police say.
A statement from Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson reads: “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 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,”.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed yesterday when a man drove a car at members of the public outside the synagogue before attacking others with a knife.
Three people remain in hospital, with another being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
The attacker, named as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, was shot dead at the scene, Police are treating the attack as a terror incident and three further arrests have been made.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier visited the synagogue with his wife Victoria, vowing to do “everything in my power” to protect Jewish communities in the UK.
Starmer called yesterday’s attack “horrific”, and offered thanks to first responders. He said: “Britain is a country where Jewish buildings, synagogues, and even schools require round the clock protection. Where dedicated, specialist, security is necessary because of the daily threat of antisemetic hatred. Today’s horrific incident shows why,”
“While this is not a new hate, this is something Jews have always lived with, we must be clear – it is a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again.”
Featured image via SWNS.
