UK Police have confirmed they accidentally shot a victim during the Manchester synagogue attack on Yom Kippur, amid an ongoing investigation into the tragic incident.
British authorities revealed on October 3, 2025, that one of the victims who died during Thursday’s deadly attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester was accidentally shot by police trying to stop the assailant. Another survivor reportedly sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound during the chaotic response.
Details of the Tragic Incident
A British national of Syrian origin, named Jihad al-Shamie, rammed his car into pedestrians outside the synagogue before stabbing a number of them, apparently during the attack on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar. Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed.
Steve Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said the attacker was not armed and had instead been wearing what looked like an explosive vest, which was later found to be a hoax.
Watson stated:
“The injury was sustained in the course of a tragic and unintended result of the necessary action taken to stop this horrific assault.”
Investigations and Official Responses
The police complaints watchdog is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police have arrested two men in their thirties and a woman in her sixties on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism. The attacker’s family has also released a statement saying they were in “profound shock” and condemned his “heinous act.”
The British government promised to step up the battle against antisemitism, which has surged to all-time highs following the eruption of hostilities in Gaza in 2023. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in Flinders Street a few hours after the attack, praised the quick work of police and emergency services.
But at one vigil, Leslie faced heckling from Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who had been speaking in response to ongoing pro-Palestinian marches in the area, as community tensions continue to rise, as we revealed earlier.
Rising Antisemitism and Security Concerns
Britain recorded its second-highest number of antisemitic incidents in 2024, as per the Community Security Trust, with over 3,500 reported cases. Jewish organizations stress that they are the only faith community in the UK routinely requiring security at their institutions.
Islamophobic incidents have also increased alongside the ongoing conflict, raising broader concerns over communal safety and cohesion.
Manchester, home to the UK’s largest Jewish community outside London, remains on high alert. On Friday, a heavy police presence remained near the synagogue, where mourners left flowers and tributes amid shock and grief.
A Sobering Reminder of Persistent Threats
This tragic episode highlights the urgent need for vigilance against hate-driven violence and to strengthen protection for vulnerable communities in Britain, reflecting a broader rise in extremist threats across Europe.
This incident marks a painful moment in the UK’s struggle with rising antisemitism and calls for renewed commitment from authorities and society alike to combat hate and ensure safety for all.