Stray Police Bullet Struck Two Worshippers During Manchester Synagogue Terror Attack
A single stray police bullet struck two worshippers as marksmen fired at a ranting Islamic State supporter during a deadly terror attack on a packed synagogue, a court was told today. The tragic incident occurred at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on October 2, 2025, during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Fatal Consequences of Police Response
Adrian Daulby, 53, who was bravely helping to barricade the synagogue doors from inside, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The same bullet also struck 39-year-old Yoni Finlay, who survived the shooting but described feeling "a very hard punch to his chest" and realizing "straight away" that he had been shot. Finlay, a father-of-four who was standing in front of Daulby, later suggested the police bullet entered his chest and exited through his back before hitting Daulby.
Fellow worshipper Melvin Cravitz, 66, suffered fatal knife wounds inflicted by terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie outside the building. The 35-year-old extremist, who was wearing a fake suicide belt, rang 999 during his atrocity and declared: "I have killed two Jews in the name of Islamic State."
Court Hears Calls for Comprehensive Investigation
During a preliminary hearing at Manchester Coroner's Court ahead of inquests into the deaths, lawyers representing survivors called for a "full and fearless" investigation into the October 2025 atrocity. Anthony Metzer KC, representing Mr Finlay, told the court that his client was "hit by the same bullet which resulted in Mr Daulby's demise."
Chris Daw KC, representing survivor Andrew Franks who was on security duty and survived stab wounds, argued that the incident represented "an attack on the entire Jewish community" rather than merely an attack on the two individuals who died. He called for the investigation to examine multiple critical areas including:
- Information-sharing between security services, counter-terror policing, local officers and Jewish community security organizations
- Risk management relating to synagogue security on Yom Kippur
- The climate of "anti-Semitic propaganda and radicalisation"
- Police resources available to protect the congregation
Terrorist's Background and Attack Details
Islamic State supporter Jihad Al-Shamie deliberately crashed his car outside the synagogue before beginning to knife worshippers. Police immediately declared the attack a suspected terrorist incident and armed officers were scrambled to the scene. Still armed with a knife, Al-Shamie charged at officers who unleashed several rounds, killing the terrorist at the scene.
The court heard that Al-Shamie was on bail for rape allegations when he launched his attack, with allegations made by two different women in December 2024 and just one month before the synagogue assault. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has told MPs that Al-Shamie was never referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme and was not known to counter-terrorism policing or security services.
Victims Remembered and Investigation Scope
Anna Morris KC, representing the family of Adrian Daulby, read a tribute describing him as "a loving, gentle man, loving to everyone and everything, people, animals and plants" who was "loyal to his congregation and those he was close to." The family of Melvin Cravitz previously described him as a "kind, caring" person who "would do anything to help anyone."
Ed Pleeth, counsel to the inquests, said the scope of the hearings - likely to take place in 2027 - would include addressing Al-Shamie's criminal record and history of radicalisation, whether the atrocity could have been prevented, security at the synagogue, and the response by police and emergency services. Inquests into the worshippers' deaths will be held together, with a separate hearing examining Al-Shamie's killing.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes of Greater Manchester Police previously stated that the first shot was fired at Al-Shamie at 9:38am, with officers discharging "several rounds" as the terrorist ran toward them. However, Al-Shamie was not pronounced dead until 4:38pm due to concerns over his suspect explosive belt, which later proved to be fake.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has found no misconduct by the three armed officers who opened fire during the attack and is treating them as witnesses in its ongoing investigation. A separate IOPC probe is examining prior contact between Greater Manchester Police and Al-Shamie, with both investigations expected to conclude this year.
Rabbi Daniel Walker, who helped barricade the synagogue doors during the attack, has spoken of the empty seats where Daulby and Cravitz used to sit being one of the "first things I see" whenever he enters the synagogue, describing both men as "very, very special."
