A chilling 999 call has revealed the Manchester synagogue attacker pledged loyalty to Islamic State just moments before killing two worshippers.
A terrorist who launched a deadly knife attack outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur rang emergency services to declare his allegiance to ISIS, authorities have confirmed.
The assailant, 35-year-old Jihad al-Shamie, was fatally shot by police shortly after the violent assault at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation last Thursday.
The horrifying incident left two men dead and several others injured during what is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
“We can confirm that, in the initial stages of the attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, a call was made by the attacker to police claiming to pledge allegiance to the so-called Islamic State,” said a spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing North West.
“I Have Killed Two Jews in the Name of the Islamic State”
According to reports from The Sun, Shamie chillingly told emergency operators: “I have killed two Jews in the name of the Islamic State.”
Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent who was granted citizenship as a minor in 2006, was already out on bail for an alleged rape offence at the time of the attack.
He was not known to Prevent, the UK’s counter-radicalisation programme, but investigators believe he may have been influenced by an extreme Islamist ideology.
Families Mourn as Details Emerge
The victims of the attack were named as 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz and 53-year-old Adrian Daulby. Tragedy was further compounded when it was later revealed that Daulby and another individual were accidentally shot by police responding to the incident.
“The victims’ bullet wounds may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end,” said Sir Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.
Daulby died of his injuries, and another person remains hospitalised after being struck by a stray bullet.
Family Condemns the Attacker’s “Heinous Act”
Shamie’s family issued a statement publicly condemning his actions, calling the attack a “heinous act”.
Investigators are continuing to piece together the background and potential radical influences behind Shamie’s violent spree. Despite a criminal record, there were no known indications that he posed a terror threat before the attack.
Police Watchdog Launches Probe
In the wake of the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched a formal investigation into the fatal police shooting.
However, they have stated that the three armed officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses and no misconduct has been identified.
Sir Stephen Watson added that he welcomed the findings and stood by the actions of his officers, describing their intervention as necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Multiple Arrests as Terror Investigation Unfolds
Authorities have made several arrests linked to the investigation. Four individuals remain in custody after police were granted an additional five days to question them. Those held include:
- Two men aged 30 and 32
- A 61-year-old woman (all from Prestwich)
- A 46-year-old woman from Farnworth
Additionally, an 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man arrested in Farnworth were released without charge on Saturday.
Police say more releases are expected in the coming days, but stress that the investigation is far from over.
A Moment of Reflection
The deadly assault has sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond. Synagogues across the UK are now reviewing security procedures, with support from both local police forces and national counter-terrorism units.
Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and reflection for Jewish communities worldwide, was marred by bloodshed in Manchester, a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by lone-actor extremists.
As the city grieves, authorities remain committed to uncovering every detail behind this brutal act of terror.
