Inquest: Worshipper Killed by Police Bullet in Attack

On 2 October, 35-year-old Jihad Al‑Shamie launched a car-and-knife attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall during Yom Kippur, driving a Kia into security and an external gate before exiting armed with a knife and wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest. He fatally stabbed worshipper Melvin Cravitz, 66, and armed officers fired several rounds as he ran towards them, fatally shooting him. A single police bullet penetrated the synagogue door and struck 53-year-old Adrian Daulby in the chest as he held the doors shut; post-mortem examinations recorded Daulby’s cause of death as a single gunshot wound and Cravitz’s as multiple stab wounds, while the attacker’s post-mortem recorded multiple gunshot wounds. The attacker was identified by fingerprints and other evidence as a Syrian‑born UK citizen who was reportedly on bail for an alleged rape at the time of the incident. Three other men were treated for serious injuries, and inquests into the deaths of Daulby and Cravitz have been opened and adjourned at Manchester Coroner’s Court, with a separate inquest into Al‑Shamie’s death to follow; hearings included evidence from families, community leaders and police.