The families of the two men killed in the Manchester synagogue attack have paid tribute to them as heroes who cared deeply about their community. Adrian Daulby, 53, is believed to have been accidentally shot by police while trying to stop an attacker from entering Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Thursday. His family described him as a 'hero' who 'tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others'.
The other victim, 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, is thought to have been stabbed to death by the attacker at the synagogue gate. In a statement provided by police, his family said he was 'kind, caring' and 'devoted to his wife, family and loved his food'. They added: 'He will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and community.'
Police said Daulby's injury 'may have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by our officers to bring a vicious attack to an end'. It is believed he was behind a synagogue door holding it closed when he was fatally shot. Another man, Yoni Finlay, remains in hospital being treated for a shooting injury.
The attacker, identified as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, used a car to ram into the synagogue grounds before stabbing worshippers in a six-minute rampage on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Three others were seriously injured. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.
At a vigil near the scene, Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was inside the synagogue during the attack, said Daulby and Finlay had 'blocked the terrorist'. He described Finlay as 'one of the heroes of the Heaton Park community' and remembered Daulby and Cravitz as 'truly wonderful, special men whose lives were so truly snatched from them as they tried to pray as Jews on the holiest day of the year'.
