Manchester synagogue terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie was shot after running at police with knife, inquest opening hears

MANCHESTER synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie was repeatedly shot by police after he ran "aggressively" towards armed police brandishing a knife and wearing what looked like a suicide belt, an inquest heard.

The 35-year-old was shot just minutes after he launched an attack with a car and knife at Heaton Park synagogue in the Crumpsall area on 2 October 2025.

The inquest was opened and adjourned at Manchester Coroner's Court today, October 31.

The court heard Al-Shamie was identified at the scene by fingerprints and "secondary evidence" at the scene, including his mobile phone and car.

Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, first drove his Kia Picanto at security staff and the external gates of the synagogue as worshippers were gathering for Yom Kippur at 9:30am,

He then tried to storm the synagogue before being shot dead.

Det Ch Supt Lewis Hughes told the hearing that armed officers responding to the call "discharged several rounds" at Al-Shamie as "he ran towards them aggressively while carrying a knife and wearing what clearly presented as a suicide belt".

He added: "Al-Shamie sustained multiple bullet wounds and collapsed to the ground."

He wasn't pronounced dead until 4:38pm because of concerns about the belt on his body, the inquest heard.

Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed, while another three men were hospitalised.

Inquests into two victims of the attack, which opened on Wednesday, heard Mr Cravitz was stabbed while Mr Daulby died from a gunshot wound to the chest fired by police.

Det Ch Supt Hughes added: "Three other victims were very seriously injured, which consisted of a security guard struck by the vehicle, a worshipper completing security duties, outside, who was stabbed, and another worshipper, inside, who also sustained a gunshot injury.

"Whilst all received very serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, all are recovering and it is not anticipated that there will be any further loss of life arising from this incident."

Judge Alexia Durran, chief coroner of England and Wales, released Al Shamie's body to his family for burial.

Judge Durran adjourned the inquest until February 19, when a pre-inquest review will be held.