Manchester's Jewish House of Worship Attack Victims Named as Home Secretary Confirms Attacker Was Unknown to Law Enforcement
The two men killed in yesterday's violent incident on a synagogue in the northern English city have been identified as fifty-three-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, authorities confirmed.
Greater Manchester police said formal identification is yet to take place but their relatives have been informed and family liaison officers are providing assistance.
Brief but Violent Terror Unfolds
The victims were lost their lives when an perpetrator used a car to crash through the premises of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, then attacked congregation members in a brief violent episode that concluded when specialist police shot at him twice.
Three others were critically wounded in the violent incident on Judaism's holiest day, the most sacred occasion in the Hebrew year.
Perpetrator Identified
Law enforcement named the assailant on Thursday night as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent.
Investigating authorities disclosed that additional individuals – two men in their 30s and a female in her 60s – had been detained “on suspected involvement of planning, organization and encouragement of acts of terrorism”.
Official Statements
The interior minister has stated that the individual who carried out the violent incident in Greater Manchester was not known to the security services.
“Regarding the attacker, this person was not known to the intelligence agencies,” said the Home Secretary.
“The individual was obviously been fatally wounded at the location, but the official inquiry will now proceed rapidly.”
Autopsies of the deceased – each individual are from the local area – will be conducted during the day.
Heightened Security Arrangements
MI5 and counter-terrorism police will operate at a heightened state of alert in the near future, reflecting concern that the Manchester synagogue attack may be followed by others.
Security presence at Jewish worship centers nationwide is to be increased.
Community Effects
Feelings of security in the Britain's Jewish community have deteriorated significantly in the last couple of years, according to the most comprehensive survey of British Jews.
The research found thirty-five percent of Jews felt insecure in Britain in the current year, compared with nine percent in two years prior.
We'll bring you the latest developments on this situation as we receive them.
