British police have confirmed that two of the victims of Thursday’s attack at a synagogue in Manchester — including one person who died — may have been accidentally shot by officers during their rapid response to the incident. The attack occurred while dozens of worshippers had gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson said forensic experts determined that one of the fatalities appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound, even though the attacker was not armed with a firearm. The only shots fired came from specially authorized police officers.
“This suggests that the fatal injury may have been caused accidentally by the swift and necessary actions of officers in stopping the violent attack,” Watson stated.
He added that a second individual had also been struck by police gunfire but was not in life-threatening condition.
The revelations came as Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the site of the attack. On Wednesday, police fatally shot the assailant, identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian origin, shortly after he rammed a vehicle into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faced sharp criticism during a memorial service held for the victims of the Manchester attack.
