Cancer survivor, beloved uncle figure: What we know about the 2 men killed in Manchester synagogue attack
Adrian Daulby lived near the Manchester synagogue where he was killed on Thursday after a terror attack.
The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation was a 10-minute walk from the 53-year-old’s home, The Telegraph reported . On the morning of Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, he “lost his life in the act of courage to save others,” his family said . It is believed that Daulby died after being accidentally shot by police, who were trying to stop a suspect wielding a knife from entering the synagogue.
Another victim, Melvin Cravitz, 66, who was working as a security guard at the synagogue at the time of the attack, also died.
A man identified as Jihad Al-Shamie rammed passersby with his car outside the building and then stabbed people. He tried to get inside the synagogue, but Daulby, Cravitz and others, prevented him from entering.
Daulby’s family called him a hero. “He was a beloved brother, loving uncle to his four nieces and one nephew and a cherished cousin,” they said.
Both Cravitz and Daulby were regular members of the community, Brian Bell told The Times . He said Daulby “rose to the terrible danger, because he ran to close all the doors, back and front,” and it was while he was holding onto one of the doors that a bullet struck him.
A neighbour, Abdul Rahimi, who lived near Daulby for more than 20 years, said he was “like an angel,” BBC News reported . “He was a very good neighbour, very good guy, always helpful.”
Rahimi said Daulby was loved by his children, who would exchange gifts with him on holidays like Christmas and Eid.
Another neighbour, John Kelly, had known Daulby since they were young children. He called him “a lovely guy,” The Telegraph reported . The day before the attack, Daulby was captured on CCTV video going to Kelly’s home to feed his cat, which he did while Kelly was away. “I used to do his garden,” he said. Daulby’s father, who died three years ago, worked as a tailor, said Kelly.
Hussain, a member of a Muslim family who lived next door to Daulby and only wanted to provide his first name, told The Times that Daulby was a cancer survivor. He enjoyed tending to his garden and adored children. Daulby started going to synagogue again after his father died, said Hussain.
“I spoke to him on Tuesday and he was talking about how it was going to be a big celebration day but because he was not feeling too good he was not going to fast. But he was debating if he was going to the synagogue or not,” he said.
Cravitz was the security guard on duty at the synagogue when the suspect attacked, police revealed Friday. He “bravely prevented the attacker from gaining access” to the building.
“Melvin would do anything to help anyone. He was so kind, caring and always wanted to chat and get to know people,” his family said in a statement. “He was devoted to his wife, family and loved his food. He will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and community.”
Friends of Cravitz, Elchonon and Hindi Cohen, said he would visit them often, The Times reported.
“Before every festival we would have him over for a meal,” said Hindi. “He was very beloved. He was a figure round here. If you saw Melvin you stopped and talked.”
She added that he had health issues, but “he was always with a joke and a smile.”
The couple told The Telegraph that Cravitz didn’t have his own children, but his wife Karen’s children from another marriage looked up to him as “a beloved uncle figure.”
Andy Kordas, who lived near Cravitz for many years, said he “always had a kind word,” BBC reported .
“He always used to come over and have a chat and ask me what I was up to,” said Kordas. “He always had a smile on his face. It’s just terrible.”
Three other victims who were injured during the attack remain in hospital.
One has been identified as Yoni Finlay by BBC and Sky News . According to reports, he was believed to be the victim accidentally shot by officers. Another victim, Andrew Franks, was identified by Sky News. Police have not confirmed who the injured victims are.
In an effort to prevent the suspect from entering the synagogue, Finlay was holding the doors of the building closed, BBC reported. He was injured in the gunfire and left the scene in a stretcher. He underwent surgery at the hospital.
A man speaking at a vigil held near the synagogue to honour victims said that his second cousin, whom he referred to as Andrew, was in a “really bad way” after being was stabbed in the neck and chest during the attack, BBC reported . He was trying to stop the attacker. He is “fighting for his life” in a critical care unit, said Robert Rosenfield.
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