The police watchdog's investigation into prior contact between Greater Manchester Police and terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie before the Manchester synagogue atrocity is now expected to be completed in early 2027.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its probe was looking at 'the actions taken by police in response to reports of crimes committed by him'. Two separate IOPC investigations arising from the Yom Kippur attack on October 2 last year at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall are ongoing.
Fatal shooting at Heaton Park synagogue
Congregant Adrian Daulby, 53, died from 'a single gunshot wound to the chest' after police opened fire on Al-Shamie. He was helping to barricade the door of the synagogue as Al-Shamie was trying to get inside at the time. A coroner's court heard in October last year that 'a single stray or possibly deflected bullet' fired by police as Al-Shamie was shot dead 'penetrated the synagogue doors, and fatally struck Mr Daulby in the chest'.
Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from 'multiple stab wounds' at Al-Shamie's hands. Mr Cravitz was earlier almost hit by the car the terrorist was driving. Al-Shamie went on to be shot dead by GMP firearms officers.
Two investigations: Keasden and Sandtoft
The IOPC launched two separate investigations - codenamed Keasden and Sandtoft - in the aftermath. The Keasden probe is looking at the shooting itself and the actions of the officers involved. At a pre-inquest review hearing held at Manchester Coroner's Court on Thursday, it emerged police fired 10 shots in total.
The firearms officers were referred to only by the cyphers F42, S19 and C25. Officer F42 fired four shots with a Glock pistol, S19 fired five shots with a carbine rifle and C25 fired a single shot with the same weapon, it was said. The same projectile that hit and killed Mr Daulby went on to hit a third congregant, Yoni Finlay, who is now recovering. It was either the first or second shot fired by officer F42, the hearing was told.
Chief Coroner, Judge Alexia Durran, was told a 'draft report' of that investigation is 'near completion'.
Delay to Sandtoft report
The Sandtoft probe, meanwhile, is looking at police contact with Al-Shamie prior to the attack. Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape at the time of the attack. In August, GMP issued an apology for missing a potential opportunity to investigate him before the atrocity.
Mobile devices belonging to him had been seized by detectives. They contained evidence of an 'extremist mindset', GMP's Chief Constable said, but hadn't been examined by the time he launched the attack. One was seized by GMP from Al-Shamie when he was arrested on February 13, 2025, for a breach of a non-molestation order. The second was seized when he was arrested on suspicion of rape on September 21 of that year. Police have confirmed the phones were not digitally examined at those times.
At Thursday's pre-inquest review hearing, the court was told of a 'delay' to the Sandtoft report's publication. It's now due in January.
An IOPC spokesperson said in a statement on Friday: "Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the tragic events in Crumpsall. We continue to explore all available lines of inquiry to fully understand events leading up to the terror attack, and the police response to it.
"Our independent investigation into the shooting is at an advanced stage. As part of our outstanding inquiries, we have requested material from a number of parties and once we have received this, we will be in a position to complete our investigation report.
"We are separately investigating all previous contact between Greater Manchester Police and Jihad Al-Shamie prior to the terror attack on 2 October 2025. This includes the actions taken by police in response to reports of crimes committed by him.
"Due to some outstanding lines of inquiry, we recently advised interested parties that we now anticipate this investigation will be completed in early 2027."
