A stray bullet fired by police during a terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester killed one worshipper and injured another, an inquest hearing was told. A marksman discharged four shots from a Glock pistol as Jihad Al-Shamie, an Islamic State supporter, attempted to force entry into the Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
One projectile missed Al-Shamie and struck both Adrian Daulby, 53, who was helping to barricade the doors, fatally wounding him, and Yoni Finlay, 39, who survived. Al-Shamie had already fatally stabbed another worshipper, Melvin Cravitz, 66. He was shot dead by firearms officers seven minutes after beginning his attack, with two other officers firing a total of six shots from semi-automatic carbines.
Greater Manchester Police had previously announced that they believed one of the victims had been mistakenly killed by their officers following the October 2, 2025 attack. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later stated that it found no misconduct by the three armed officers who opened fire.
New Details Emerge at Inquest Hearing
Ed Pleeth, counsel to the inquests, informed Manchester Coroner’s Court that a firearms officer, identified as F42, fired his Glock pistol four times. A firearms expert concluded that the first or second round missed Al-Shamie and struck both Mr. Daulby and Mr. Finlay, who were positioned behind the synagogue's door. They were among those courageously barricading the entrance as Al-Shamie attempted to gain entry.
Mr. Finlay, who was in front of Mr. Daulby, described feeling a severe impact to his chest and realizing immediately that he had been shot. Anthony Metzer KC, representing Mr. Finlay, stated that his client was a “direct victim and survivor of potentially fatal use of force by the state.”
Anna Morris KC, representing Mr. Daulby's family, indicated that they wish to examine whether any “failings in planning” by the police contributed to his death. They also want the inquest to address the ambulance response and the speed of medical crew attendance.
Judge Alexia Durran, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, granted all three officers “interested person” status, allowing them formal participation in the inquest process. The inquest has not yet been informed of the specific rounds that killed Al-Shamie.
Background of the Attack
Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, deliberately crashed his car outside the synagogue and began stabbing worshippers. He was wearing a fake suicide belt and contacted emergency services during the attack, claiming to have killed two Jews in the name of Islamic State. He was shot dead by police as he charged towards them with a knife.
Al-Shamie had been on bail for a rape charge when he launched the attack. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had previously stated that he was not known to counter-terrorism policing or security services and had not been referred to the Prevent counter-extremism program. IOPC investigations are ongoing into prior contact between Greater Manchester Police and Al-Shamie, as well as the actions of the firearms officers.
The inquests will also consider Al-Shamie's criminal record and history of radicalization. A separate inquest will examine his death. Mr. Cravitz's family remembered him as a “kind, caring” person who “would do anything to help anyone.” Mr. Daulby's family paid tribute to a “down to earth man whose final act was to save others.”