One of the victims killed in the Manchester synagogue attack was likely struck by a police bullet, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said on Friday. Citing an initial assessment by a Home Office pathologist, Chief Constable Stephen Watson said the victim “appears to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.” The update was reported by CNN, which noted the findings remain preliminary pending further forensic work.
No firearm recovered from suspect
Watson said officers believe the suspect, named as Jihad Al Shamie, did not have a gun. “The only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community,” he said. CNN reported that detectives have not indicated any change to the suspect’s charging prospects as inquiries continue.
‘Tragic and unforeseen consequence’
The chief constable called the death a potential “tragic and unforeseen consequence” of the urgent intervention to stop the attack. “Subject to further forensic examination,” he said, the injury may have been sustained during the operation to bring “this vicious attack to an end.” Police have not yet released the full post-mortem results.
