Synagogue attack victim Melvin Cravitz died from multiple knife wounds inflicted by terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, Manchester Coroner’s Court heard.
A second victim, Adrian Daulby, 53, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest fired by an armed police officer scrambled to the scene, the court was told during a hearing as the inquests into the deaths of both men were opened and adjourned.
Mr Daulby, 53, described as a “quiet hero” had leaped from his seat to block the doors of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, as it came under attack on October 2.
He had held the main doors of the synagogue shut as Al-Shamie tried to force his way in to continue his rampage.
Mr Daulby was then struck in the chest while behind the door when an armed officer fired, and was pronounced dead at the scene at 10.15am on October 2, Chief Supt Lewis Hughes of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told the hearing.
Moments earlier, father-of-three Mr Cravitz, 66, died after being stabbed by Syrian-born UK citizen Al-Shamie, 35, who began his attack by driving his Kia Picanto at security staff and the external gates of the synagogue around 9.30am.
Both victims were worshippers at the synagogue, among others gathering for the holy day of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews.
Al-Shamie then attacked with a knife and tried to storm the synagogue, wearing a fake suicide belt, before being shot dead by armed police.
Mr Hughes, again giving brief details of the circumstances to the court, said Al-Shamie had used his car, then got out to attack worshippers.
He said: “The offender exited the vehicle armed with a knife and immediately made stabbing motions to Mr Cravitz’s upper torso, head and neck area.”
Members of the public and the Community Security Trust (CST) gave first aid and CPR and the victim was taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary where he was pronounced dead at 10.45am.
Judge Alexia Durran, the chief coroner of England and Wales, presiding over the hearing, said her provisional findings were that Mr Cravitz died of stab wounds and Mr Daulby died of a gunshot wound.
The hearing, lasting around 45 minutes, was then adjourned for a pre-inquest review on February 18 next year.
