During a terrorist attack in Manchester, UK, a Rabbi present at a synagogue has shared the attacker’s last words.
On Thursday (October 2), a tragic incident occurred where two individuals lost their lives and three others were hurt. The assailant, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, drove his vehicle into people gathered outside a synagogue in north Manchester. Al-Shamie was subsequently shot dead by police on the scene.
The victims were identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.
The attacker, a British national of Syrian background, first targeted pedestrians with his car before exiting the vehicle and beginning to stab people.
One of the Rabbis present in the synagogue during the attack has spoken to the press, disclosing what he perceives to have been the attacker’s final words.
Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was conducting prayers at the time, described the attack as a ‘desecration that had changed us all forever.’
Discussing the attacker’s last words, Walker stated that Al-Shamie repeatedly banged on the doors with a knife, making threats.
According to Walker, Al-Shamie said ‘I’m gonna get you’ continuously before police intervened and fatally shot him.
The Greater Manchester police department released a statement explaining that one of the deceased victims might have been hit by a bullet fired by a police officer responding to the incident.
The statement from Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson noted: “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 Authorized 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.”