Survivor and Families Demand Full Investigation After Terrorist Kills Worshipper and Injures Another in Manchester Synagogue Attack

The shocking terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on October 2, 2025, has revealed new harrowing details.

A single police bullet, fired during an attempt to stop the attacker, struck two worshippers—killing one and injuring another—according to a recent inquest hearing.

Adrian Daulby, 53, a devoted congregant who was helping barricade the synagogue doors, died from the gunshot.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Yoni Finlay, standing just ahead of Mr. Daulby, was also struck but survived.

The attack claimed another life: 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, who was fatally stabbed outside the synagogue by the extremist, Jihad Al-Shamie.

The Attack Unfolds

Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Islamic State supporter, deliberately drove his car into the synagogue and launched a brutal knife attack on worshippers on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

He even called 999 during his rampage, boasting, “I have killed two Jews in the name of Islamic State.”

Armed officers responded immediately, firing multiple rounds at Al-Shamie, who wore a fake suicide vest.

While the attacker was neutralized at the scene, a “stray” bullet tragically hit Mr. Daulby in the chest.

Mr. Finlay later described feeling “a very hard punch” in his chest, realizing immediately he had been shot—the same bullet that ultimately killed Mr. Daulby.

Rabbi David Walker and members of the congregation had been courageously holding the doors against Al-Shamie, demonstrating remarkable bravery amid chaos.

Survivors Demand Full Investigation

At a preliminary inquest hearing, lawyers representing survivors called for a “full and fearless” examination of the attack.

The review will explore:

• Information-sharing between security services and local police
• Risk management and security arrangements at synagogues during high-risk days
• The climate of anti-Semitic propaganda and radicalization

Andrew Franks, a survivor who was on security duty and sustained stab wounds, along with his father Ellis, emphasized their desire not just to be witnesses but active participants in the investigation.

Their lawyer, Chris Daw KC, stressed that the attack targeted the entire Jewish community, not only the victims who died.

Background on the Attacker

Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, had a troubling history of violence and criminality.

He was on bail for rape when the attack occurred and had prior convictions, including possession of Class B drugs and minor theft.

Investigators noted his radicalization was likely influenced by extremist Islamist ideology, although some close to him described no obvious signs of extremism prior to the attack.

He was a prolific user of the Muzmatch dating app and lived a seemingly ordinary life as a data analyst of “Syrian mixed heritage.”

Yet, beneath this facade, he had a disturbing double life involving multiple secret wives and obsessive behaviors.

Police and Emergency Response

The attack unfolded rapidly. Al-Shamie exited his vehicle around 9:30 a.m., immediately targeting Mr. Cravitz with stabbing motions.

Police first fired shots at 9:38 a.m., neutralizing Al-Shamie, though concerns over his apparent suicide vest delayed pronouncing him dead until 4:38 p.m.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later cleared the three armed officers of misconduct, though they remain witnesses in ongoing inquiries.

A separate investigation is examining prior contact between Al-Shamie and Greater Manchester Police.

Impact and Consequences

The attack exposed vulnerabilities in synagogue security during major religious observances and highlighted gaps in communication between security services.

Families and survivors are demanding accountability and a thorough understanding of how Al-Shamie was able to carry out his attack despite his criminal record and prior warning signs.

The deaths of Mr. Daulby and Mr. Cravitz, combined with Mr. Finlay’s injuries, have left the Jewish community in Manchester shaken, mourning the loss of beloved members and questioning protective measures in place for vulnerable institutions.

What’s Next?

Inquests into the deaths of Mr. Daulby and Mr. Cravitz are scheduled for 2027, with a separate hearing examining Al-Shamie’s killing.

Survivors may be granted “interested person” status, allowing them to fully participate in proceedings.

The hearings are expected to delve into police and emergency response, intelligence-sharing, risk assessment, and the effectiveness of counter-terror programs.

Calls for reforms to better protect communities from similar attacks are likely to follow.

Summary

The Heaton Park Synagogue attack tragically underscores the deadly consequences of extremism and the complexity of armed police responses.

A single bullet, intended to stop a terrorist, resulted in the death of a hero worshipper, Adrian Daulby, and left another wounded.

Meanwhile, Melvin Cravitz was brutally killed outside, and survivors continue to grapple with the physical and emotional aftermath.

The inquests aim to uncover what went wrong, why the attacker succeeded, and how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.

Bulleted Takeaways

• A single police bullet struck two worshippers during Al-Shamie’s attack.
• Adrian Daulby, 53, died while helping barricade the synagogue doors.
• Melvin Cravitz, 66, was fatally stabbed outside the synagogue.
• Yoni Finlay, 39, survived after being hit by the same bullet that killed Mr. Daulby.
• Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Islamic State supporter, wore a fake suicide vest and attacked worshippers on Yom Kippur.
• Armed police killed Al-Shamie at the scene after he charged with a knife.
• Survivors and families demand a “full and fearless” investigation into the attack, security failures, and intelligence gaps.
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct found no misconduct by the officers who fired at Al-Shamie.