Yoni Finlay has been hailed as a hero after suffering an injury while helping barricade a door at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester during a terror attack by a knifeman
A dad-of-three was reportedly injured while heroically helping to barricade the door of a synagogue during the Manchester terror attack.
Yoni Finlay bravely stopped 35-year-old knifeman Jihad Al-Shamie from getting inside Heaton Park Synagogue on Thursday and needed hospital treatment afterwards. A friend claimed that he suffered an injury to his stomach from either a stray police bullet or debris after it hit the door.
Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by armed officers minutes after stabbing two men to death on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish year.
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Greater Manchester Police has now named the two people who tragically died as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. Three others remain in hospital with serious injuries.
A friend of Mr Finlay reportedly said: “We heard Yoni was one of those who was bravely helping to barricade the door from the inside to stop the terrorist gaining entry into the synagogue. He was taken to hospital because he was injured either from a stray police bullet or from shrapnel and flying glass caused when the bullet hit the door. We don’t know the full details.
“We don’t know how serious he is either but are hoping that he will be ok. He suffered wounds to the side of his stomach below his ribs and around his waist.”
A member of the Heaton Park Synagogue, who knew Mr Finlay, told the Mail: “My wife saw him being taken into an ambulance on a stretcher. As far as I know he’s undergoing surgery this evening. We don’t yet know how he is but are hoping he’ll be ok.”
Three people have now been arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack in connection with the killings. Al-Shamie is understood to have entered the UK as a young child and been granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16. It is believed his name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records, and he is not thought to have been under investigation.
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, who is co-ordinating the casualty response, said: “My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time.
“Specially trained family liaison officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process
“Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.”
Greater Manchester Police said while formal identification is yet to take place, the families of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, both from Crumpsall, have been informed and offered support by family liaison officers.
On Friday morning, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed extra officers would provide a “high visibility” presence in North Manchester, Bury, and Salford within Jewish communities and around synagogues. There will also be increased visits to local places of worship, police added.
Further plans will be developed throughout Friday to cover into the evening and across the weekend. City of Manchester district commander Chief Superintendent David Meeney said: “We have taken this action to ensure that our Jewish communities and wider communities within Greater Manchester feel safe and reassured following yesterday’s tragic incident in Crumpsall.
“People in North Manchester, Bury, Salford, within Jewish communities, and around synagogues can expect to see uniformed officers on patrol in vehicles and on foot throughout today, in to this evening, and over the weekend.
“They are there to reassure you and, whilst they may not be able to answer questions about the investigation, they will be happy to reassure you about the actions we are taking to ensure communities are safe and feel safe. We are conscious of the significance of Fridays and Saturdays in the Jewish faith, and will be doing everything we can to help communities mark Shabbat with their families and friends as they wish.”
GMP said officers were “working to understand the motivation behind the attack” and confirmed the killer had not been referred to the Government’s Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
Al-Shamie appears to have lived in Prestwich, around two miles from the scene. His name is linked to a property in the town and a neighbour recognised his face from photographs of the synagogue attacker.
