Grant Shapps has described the terrifying moment his father-in-law stopped Jihad Al-Shamie entering the synagogue
Grant Shapps’ father-in-law was ‘next to’ one of the Manchester synagogue attack victims(Image: PA)
Grant Shapps has described how his father-in-law was next to one of the victims as the Manchester synagogue terror attacker Jihad Al-Shamie stabbed at the window.
The former defence minister has described the horrific scenes from inside the synagogue, as he told how his father-in-law Michael Goldstone was ‘part of the crew’ who barricaded the doors. He told Sky News how his relative was next to victim Adrian Daulby, 53, as the ‘maniac’ attacker was trying to get inside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Thursday.
Mr Shapps said his father-in-law, the rabbi and people inside were trying to hold the doors shut. He said: “They’d locked them, but this maniac was still trying to get in.
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“He had a seven-inch knife, he was stabbing it against the window, trying to break it. He was trying to kick down the doors and eventually he goes and picks up flower pots which were out front and is trying to break the glass using those.”
Mr Shapps added: “All the time behind the door, my father-in-law, the rabbi and others were all trying to organise themselves to make sure that each of the doors was held closed.
“Very, very tragically, the gentleman that they helped to position on the door next to where my father-in-law was was the one who died from that stray bullet intended for this terrorist that unfortunately came through the door, hit somebody in the leg, and then actually someone on their body.
“He went straight down. My father-in-law describes him as immediately knowing that, unfortunately, he wasn’t going to make it.”
Adrian Daulby(Image: Family Handout/PA)
Mr Daulby is believed to have been shot dead by police while trying to stop Al-Shamie from getting into the synagogue.
The police watchdog is continuing to examine the use of lethal force by GMP firearms officers.
Dad-of-three Melvin Cravitz also lost his life in the attack, with hundreds gathering in Pendlebury to pay their respects at his funeral on Sunday.
Three men remain in hospital with serious injuries, including a security guard with car-impact injuries and a Community Security Trust (CST) worker with stab wounds.
The police scene has been shortened at the Heaton Park Hebrew congregation synagogue in Crumpsall(Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News)
On Sunday, counter-terror police said the investigation into the synagogue attack was ‘continuing at pace’. Greater Manchester Police also confirmed on Sunday that warrants for further detention were granted for four individuals who had been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism in connection with the incident.
The suspects can be held custody for up to a further five days from the point that warrant was granted.
Two others, a man and a woman, were released without charge after being arrested last Thursday.