Gerrard Kaonga
A Rabbi who was in the synagogue during a terrorist attack in Manchester, UK, has revealed what the perpetrator's final words were.
On Thursday (October 2), two people were killed and three injured after a man - believed to be Jihad Al-Shamie - drove his car into worshippers outside a synagogue in north Manchester. Al-Shamie was also shot dead by police at the scene.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, have since been identified as the two men killed in the incident.
The attacker, a British citizen of Syrian descent, initially drove a car at members of the public before he got out and began stabbing people.
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A Rabbi who was at the synagogue at the time of the attack has now spoken to media and revealed what he believes were the suspect’s final words.
Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading prayer at the time, described the attack as a ‘desecration that had changed us all forever.’
Speaking about the suspect's final words, he said Al-Shamie repeatedly banged at the doors, knife in hand, and shouted threats.
He repeatedly said ‘I’m gonna get you’ before police arrived and shot him dead, according to Walker.
The Greater Manchester police department also issued a statement clarifying that one of the victims who was killed appears to have been struck by a gunshot from a responding police officer.
The statement from the Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson read: "It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP's Authorized Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community.
"It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end.
"We have also been advised by medical professionals that one of the three victims currently receiving treatment in hospital, has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is mercifully not life threatening. It is believed that both victims were close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with all of the families, and the wider community, impacted by this incident across Greater Manchester and beyond.”