Two victims of the Manchester synagogue attack, one of whom tragically lost his life, were seemingly struck by gunfire discharged by the police officers attempting to neutralize the assailant, according to a statement from the Greater Manchester Police on Friday.
One of the victims, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, succumbed to his injuries during the attack, while the other remains under medical care. The Home Office Pathologist provisionally identified the cause of one death as a gunshot wound, stated Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson.
The police reached the preliminary conclusion that their own gunfire likely struck the victims, due to the suspect’s lack of firearms. The suspect, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, is alleged to have driven into a crowd outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, before exiting the vehicle and proceeding to attack individuals with a blade. This incident was immediately classified as a terrorist act by the police.
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As the attack unfolded, the synagogue’s congregants barricaded themselves inside, successfully preventing Al-Shamie from entering. The suspect was subsequently neutralized by police gunfire. The two casualties, believed to have been inside the synagogue at the time, were in proximity behind a doorway when they were hit, according to police accounts.
On one hand, some commend the bravery of the congregants and the swift response of the officers. On the other hand, this raises important questions about the circumstances that led to these victims being hit by police gunfire. Meanwhile, three additional suspects are in custody on suspicion of terrorist activities, and the family of Al-Shamie has publicly condemned his actions.
In closing, this tragic incident serves as a harsh reminder of the perils faced in an increasingly unpredictable world.
