Greater Manchester Jewish House of Worship Assault Victims Named

Two individuals killed in an attack on a synagogue in Manchester have been identified by authorities as Adrian Daulby, 53, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.

Three more people are still hospitalized with critical wounds after the attacker used an automobile into pedestrians before stabbing others on the morning of the incident.

The attack, which law enforcement has confirmed was a terror-related event, took place during Yom Kippur, the most important observance in the Jewish tradition.

The attacker, who was fatally shot at the site, was a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage who was not previously known to terrorism investigators, per security officials.

Public Reaction

"Right now our hearts are shattered," the nation's top rabbinical authority declared.

In an interview with a national radio program, he remarked: "The tragic incident was an awful blow to us, something which we had been concerned about might happen because of the escalating tensions."

The attack was not only "a very dark time" for the British Jewish community "but for the entire nation," he emphasized.

Security Measures

"Our responsibility is to guarantee our Jewish population, our people can go about their lives with safety and security," the Home Secretary declared.

"I do not want the Jewish community in our country to feel like they have to live a limited religious practice, that they cannot conduct their affairs and observe their religion and attend their religious centers in freedom," she added.

The attacker was not identified to counter-terrorism police, she informed media outlets, and it was "too early" to say if there was a terror network behind the attack.

Ongoing Probe

The law enforcement inquiry was "progressing rapidly" and there was an increased police presence at religious institutions across the UK.

"Authorities allocate security funding," the representative stated, adding: "It will be necessary to examine what more we can do to deal with growing religious prejudice."

Greater Manchester police announced they were providing help to loved ones of the two victims.

"Sincere condolences are with those affected by this tragedy at this profoundly challenging moment," law enforcement leadership declared.

He said that designated family representatives were in touch with relatives and would continue to support them through the investigative procedures.

"Although procedures exist which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and needs and to making certain that the deceased and their families' preferences are followed," he continued, stating that the deceased individuals were from Crumpsall.

Post-mortems are scheduled on the next day, per authoritative reports.