Manchester attack: One of the fatal terror victims shot by armed police

Police have said one of thefatal victims in yesterday's attack on a Jewish synagogue was shot by their officers.

Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by armed officers minutes after stabbing two men to death on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish year - at Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.

The force had earlier named the two people killed as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. Three others remain in hospital with serious injuries.

Greater Manchester Police said that though an official post-mortem is still to be carried out, an initial study of one of the victim's bodies shows he suffered a gunshot wound. GMP didn't confirm whether the wound sustained behind the barricaded doors of the synagogue was the fatal injury that killed him.

READ MORE: Family of Manchester synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie issues new statement

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: "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."

The chief constable added that one of the three victims in hospital had also suffered a gunshot wound. Thankfully, the wound was not thought to be life-threatening, he said.

"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. Specialist officers are providing support and care for all of those directly affected, including our brave first responders."

Another two men, aged in their 30s, and a woman in her 60s, have also been seized on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terror.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer was seen visiting the scene of the attack, hand-in-hand with his wife Victori as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers.

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