"Police's Deadly Mistake: Accidental Shooting Kills Synagogue Victim"

Manchester Synagogue Attack: Police Officer Accidentally Shoots Victim, Two Men Killed In a shocking turn of events, police authorities in Manchester, England have revealed that one of the two victims in a car and knife attack on a synagogue was accidentally shot by a police officer as worshippers tried to stop the attacker entering the building. The incident occurred on Yom Kippur, a day of atonement for Jews around the world, at the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester. According to law enforcement authorities, local residents Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died in the attack. Police said that one of the victims was shot by a police officer as they tried to apprehend the attacker, who had entered the synagogue with a car and knife. The incident has raised concerns about antisemitism in Britain, with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis describing it as an "unrelenting wave" of Jew hatred on the streets and online. The attack occurred on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at around 6:00 PM local time. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as worshippers tried to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue. "It was like something out of a horror movie," said one witness, who wished to remain anonymous. "People were screaming and running in all directions." The police officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, visited the scene of the attack on Friday, October 3, 2025, to pay her respects to the victims. The Manchester synagogue attack is just one of several incidents of antisemitism reported in Britain in recent months. According to a report by the Community Security Trust (CST), there were over 1,000 incidents of antisemitic hate crime in England and Wales in 2024, including vandalism, harassment, and physical attacks. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has called for greater action to be taken to combat antisemitism in Britain. "This is an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred that is sweeping the country," he said. "We need to take a stand against this hate and ensure that our communities are safe and secure." The investigation into the Manchester synagogue attack is ongoing, with police working to determine the motive behind the attack and identify any potential suspects. Background Antisemitism has been on the rise in Britain in recent years, with many incidents reported across the country. In 2022, a report by the CST found that antisemitic hate crime had increased by over 50% compared to the previous year. The Manchester synagogue attack is just one of several high-profile incidents of antisemitism reported in Britain in recent months. In August 2025, a Jewish cemetery in London was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti, and in September 2025, a Jewish-owned business in Manchester was targeted by vandals. Next Steps The investigation into the Manchester synagogue attack is ongoing, with police working to determine the motive behind the attack and identify any potential suspects. The Home Secretary has pledged to take action to combat antisemitism in Britain, including increasing funding for security measures at Jewish institutions. As the community comes together to mourn the loss of two innocent lives, many are calling for greater action to be taken to address the growing problem of antisemitism in Britain. This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics, NPR News and BREAKING: NPR News.