Manchester Jewish House of Worship Incident Fatalities Named

Two men fatally injured in an assault on a Jewish house of worship in Manchester have been identified by law enforcement as Adrian Daulby, aged 53, and Melvin Cravitz, aged 66.

Three more people remain in hospital with critical wounds after Jihad Al-Shamie rammed a car into pedestrians before attacking with a knife on Thursday.

The violent incident, which authorities have declared was a terrorist incident, occurred on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.

The attacker, who was killed by police at the scene, was a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who was not previously known to counter terrorism police, per government sources.

Community Response

"We are devastated," the nation's top rabbinical authority commented.

During a conversation on a national radio program, he stated: "Yesterday's events was a terrible shock to us, something which we had been concerned about might happen because of the build up."

The attack was not only "a profoundly troubling moment" for the British Jewish community "but for all of our society," he continued.

Security Measures

"The government's duty is to guarantee our Jewish citizens, our people can live their lives with protection and peace of mind," the Home Secretary announced.

"We cannot allow Jewish citizens in our country to feel like they have to live a limited religious practice, that they cannot conduct their affairs and follow their beliefs and go to their communal institutions in without fear," she added.

The perpetrator was not identified to security services, she informed news organizations, and it was "not yet possible" to say if there was a terror network behind the attack.

Police Inquiry

The criminal probe was "moving forward quickly" and there was an increased police presence at religious institutions across the UK.

"Authorities allocate security funding," the representative stated, adding: "We must evaluate what further actions we can take to combat growing religious prejudice."

Greater Manchester police said they were assisting the relatives of the two deceased individuals.

"Sincere condolences are with those affected by this tragedy at this profoundly challenging moment," the lead investigator expressed.

He said that designated family representatives were in communication with families and would maintain assistance through the coronial process.

"Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of community customs and needs and to guaranteeing that these men and their relatives' requests are respected," he said, noting that the both victims were from the local area.

Autopsies are being conducted on Friday, per government statements.