Emily Brown
Police in the UK have issued a statement following an attack at a synagogue in Manchester, which left two people dead and three people in hospital.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, have been identified as the two men killed in the incident, which took place on Thursday (October 2) at Heaton Park synagogue in Greater Manchester.
The attacker, who was shot dead at the scene, is believed to have been 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, who drove a car at members of the public before he began stabbing people.
Today (October 3), Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of the Greater Manchester Police issued a statement in which he revealed that one of the victims who was killed appears to have been struck by a gunshot from a responding police officer.
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Watson explained: "Following the terrorist incident yesterday at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, Middleton Road, Crumpsall; further and urgent enquiries continue. Overnight, we have taken advice from the Home Office Pathologist ahead of full post mortem examinations scheduled for later today.
"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, Jihad Al Shamie, 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 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," Watson continued. "Specialist officers are providing support and care for all of those directly affected, including our brave first responders."
The family of the suspected attacker has also released a statement in which they described the attack against the Jewish synagogue as a 'profound shock to us'.
Per Reuters, they continued: "The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians."
"We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort."