Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a formal public inquiry into the Heaton Park synagogue terror attack, a tragedy that claimed the lives of two worshippers during the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The announcement, delivered to the House of Commons on October 12, marks a significant step in seeking answers for the families of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby. Both men were killed during the violent assault on October 2, 2025, as congregants gathered to observe Yom Kippur.
The attack unfolded when Jihad Al-Shamie drove his vehicle into individuals standing outside the synagogue before launching a knife attack on members of the public. Melvin Cravitz was fatally wounded during the initial assault. In a harrowing turn of events, Adrian Daulby—who had been acting heroically to protect those inside by barricading the synagogue doors—was killed after being struck by a deflected bullet fired by armed police responding to the scene. Al-Shamie was shot and killed by officers shortly thereafter.
Addressing Parliament, the Home Secretary acknowledged the profound trauma inflicted upon the community. “On that awful day in October of last year, as our Jewish community celebrated Yom Kippur, two brave men, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, lost their lives, and three others were seriously injured,” Mahmood stated.
The decision to launch a public inquiry follows a direct request from the coroner. Unlike standard inquests, a public inquiry grants the legal authority to examine sensitive national security material that might otherwise be restricted from a coroner’s court. This will allow for a more comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, the security measures in place at the time, and the actions taken by authorities on the day.
“What happened that day must be fully understood,” the Home Secretary added. “This will ensure that all evidence can be heard, including any sensitive national security material that could not otherwise be fully heard in the coroner’s court.”
The inquiry is expected to scrutinize whether the attack could have been prevented and will examine the police response that resulted in the accidental death of Mr. Daulby. For the grieving families and the local Jewish community, the announcement provides a path toward the transparency they have sought since the atrocity took place.
Three other individuals sustained serious injuries during the incident, and their experiences are also expected to be documented as part of the wider review. As the investigation transitions into this new, formal phase, government officials have emphasized that the priority remains uncovering the full, unvarnished truth of the events that shattered a peaceful day of worship.
Further details regarding the inquiry’s chair and the timeline for hearings are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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