Authorities in the UK confirmed on Friday that during their response to an assault on worshippers at a Manchester synagogue, two victims were shot by police, one of whom later died.
This revelation emerged amid heightened tensions at a memorial vigil for the victims, where Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faced jeers from attendees still grappling with the tragedy.
The vigil, held to honor the lives of Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, saw mourners chanting “shame on you” as Lammy took the stage, reflecting the community’s raw emotions following the incident.
In addition to the two fatalities, three others sustained serious injuries, including one individual wounded by police gunfire, during Thursday’s violent car-ramming and stabbing attack. The incident has intensified concerns about the safety of Jewish communities throughout the UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the event as “a horrific terrorist attack aimed at instilling fear by targeting Jews solely because of their faith,” while addressing emergency personnel in Manchester, located in northwest England.
In response, security measures at synagogues across the country have been significantly increased, particularly following the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar.
The assailant, identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage who was out on bail for an alleged rape, was fatally shot by police within minutes after reports of a vehicle striking pedestrians and a security guard being stabbed.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson revealed that a preliminary examination by a Home Office pathologist indicated one of the deceased victims had a gunshot wound. Since the attacker was not believed to be armed with a firearm, and only authorized firearms officers discharged their weapons, it is likely the injury was an unintended consequence of the police response.
Watson further clarified that the victim who sustained a gunshot wound but survived is currently in stable condition.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the fatal police shooting to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
– Prioritizing Safety –
Watson explained that both individuals injured by gunfire were positioned close together behind the synagogue’s entrance, where worshippers courageously resisted the attacker’s attempt to break in.
Authorities reported that Shamie was wearing a vest resembling an explosive device, which was later confirmed to be non-functional.
In connection with the attack, police have detained three suspects-two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s-on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses.
Leaders of the targeted synagogue expressed profound sorrow, stating it is “difficult to articulate the depth of grief felt by our community.” They urged that the “most fitting tribute” to the victims would be for communities nationwide to unite in harmony and stand firmly against antisemitism.
Daulby’s family honored him as a “hero” whose bravery “thwarted the attacker’s entry into the synagogue.”
Manchester United football club announced plans to observe a minute of silence during their Saturday match to pay respects to the victims.
This attack ranks among the most severe antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023 assault on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The war has stirred intense emotions across Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in major cities. Critics argue these rallies sometimes exacerbate antisemitic sentiments and heighten fears within Jewish communities.
– The Persistence of Antisemitism –
On Thursday evening, a “Global Movement for Gaza UK” protest took place in London, resulting in 40 arrests by police.
The Metropolitan Police urged organizers to postpone another planned demonstration supporting the banned Palestine Action group scheduled for Saturday, but the request was declined.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood condemned Thursday’s protests as “dishonorable” and voiced concerns about the upcoming weekend events.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog criticized the UK government on LBC radio, accusing it of tolerating “brutal, aggressive, and violent behavior on the streets.”
Prior to his visit to Manchester, Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the attack as a “heartbreaking manifestation of Jew hatred.”
He lamented the “persistent and relentless wave of antisemitism” witnessed across public spaces, educational institutions, social media platforms, and beyond.