Manchester Synagogue terror attack victim died ‘from single gunshot fired by armed police officer’

Heroic Adrian Daulby had held the doors shut for two minutes as knife nut terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie tried to get into the Synagogue and was tragically killed by a stray bullet from a police marksman

A hero Manchester synagogue attack victim was shot dead by police as he tried to stop terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie getting to worshippers, an inquest has heard. Brave Adrian Daulby, 53, was holding the doors shut as Al-Shamie tried to enter the building.

Firearms officers opened fire on Al-Shamie after he ‘aggressively’ came at them with a knife and what appeared to be a suicide vest, Manchester Coroners Court was told. Tragically, Adrian was hit in the chest by a ‘single stray or possibly deflected bullet’ which had been shot by the officers, the brief hearing was told.

Fellow worshipper Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from multiple stab wounds inflicted by Al-Shamie during the knife and car attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue on October 2.

The inquest heard Al-Shamie had almost hit Melvin when he drove his car at worshippers making their way to the Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. He then launched into a knife rampage.

Detective chief superintendent Lewis Hughes said the terrorist got out of his car and made ‘stabbing motions’ towards Melvin directed at his upper torso and neck.

Volunteers from the Community Security Trust, which provides security outside synagogues and at Jewish communal events, rushed to his aid and he was put on a stretcher before being rushed to hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead.

Inquests into both victims were opened on Wednesday and adjourned until a later date. A pre-inquest review has been set for next February.

Detective chief superintendent Lewis told the hearing that Operation Plato — a codeword for the police response to a marauding terrorist attack — was declared when the call came in on October 2.

He says Jihad Al-Shamie attended the synagogue at 9.30am. The terrorist was shot dead by armed police seven minutes after the horror began.

Hero Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading prayers when the rampage started and also bravely held the doors shut to stop Al-Shamie getting into the holy building, was in attendance during the hearing, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Last week, Daniel was praised by an emotional King Charles who held back tears during a visit to the synagogue, where he told worshippers: “I can’t tell you how sad I am.”

Counter Terrorism Policing North West is leading the probe into the attack. They confirmed al-Shamie stabbed terrified members of the public while wearing a fake “bomb vest”. Detectives last week appealed for witnesses who have not yet come forward.

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