Manchester synagogue attack: police name two victims killed

The family of one of the men killed in the Manchester synagogue attack have said they are “heartbroken” by his death as investigations into the terror stabbings gathered pace.

The two men murdered in Thursday’s attack at Heaton Park synagogue in north Manchester were named by police on Friday as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.

Greater Manchester police said formal identification had yet to take place but their families had been informed and family liaison officers were in contact.

The men were killed when an attacker used a car to ram into the grounds of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, then stabbed worshippers in a six-minute rampage that ended only when armed officers shot at him twice.

Three others were seriously injured in the attack on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Police named the attacker on Thursday night as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent. Greater Manchester police revealed that three other people – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – had been arrested “on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism”.

Postmortems of the victims – both of whom were from Crumpsall – will take place later on Friday.

In a message on social media on Friday, Daulby’s family said they were “heartbroken” by his loss and would be seeking “the answers that we need”.

They said: “As Adrian’s family, we are heartbroken by his passing. We kindly ask for privacy at this time as we grieve and seek the answers we need. Thank you for your understanding and respect.”

DCS Lewis Hughes, who is coordinating the casualty response, said: “My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time.

“Specially trained family liaison officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process

“While there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.”

The attack drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with Keir Starmer calling the knife attacker a “vile individual” who “attacked Jews because they are Jews, and attacked Britain because of our values”. Political rivals Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage were among those joining in showing support for the Jewish community.

The attack happened days before the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks by Hamas in Israel. Police said there would be heightened security at synagogues and Jewish community centres in coming days.

Starmer flew back to the UK early from a gathering of European leaders in Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting after the incident before speaking to the nation from Downing Street.

On Friday morning, Greater Manchester police confirmed extra officers would provide a “high visibility” presence in north Manchester, Bury, and Salford within Jewish communities and around synagogues.

There will also be increased visits to local places of worship, police added.

With PA Media