Witness Describes Moment That 'Deranged Individual' Assaulted Manchester Temple
A man who helped securing a Jewish temple in northern Manchester has shared how a deadly assault occurred, causing the loss of a pair of British Jews.
Early Thursday, Alan Levy was present in the worship center when a perpetrator drove a vehicle toward and stabbed members assembling for a service to commemorate a significant religious event.
The witness noted that the 'deranged' attacker sought to break down the entrances of the place of worship, and he recalled barricading the structure with fellow worshippers.
Two individuals, aged 53 and 66 died in the attack on that day, while additional persons were injured while helping to safeguard worshippers.
Eyewitness Description of the Violence
He, who serves as a leader at the synagogue, described holding the entry points and noted that the perpetrator wielded blades and garden containers to attempt entry.
"I saw a large, menacing figure shoulder charge the main doors, seeking to force them open while armed with a blade," he explained to the media.
The sole statement I heard from him was 'this is what you're going to get for killing our children'.
Just those words he expressed. We stood inside the building and we were repeating 'we are not letting this man in'.
He acted like a crazed, violent individual."
Funeral Observed for Individual
These statements coincided with hundreds of people attended the ceremony for one of the victims.
Close kin, congregants from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation as well as a religious leader, and individuals of the Jewish population gathered in Pendlebury, Salford to show support.
Attendees occupied the cemetery forecourt, with many gathering outside the ceremony space in the downpour, following the ceremony and tribute over audio systems.
In a tribute shared on the following day, the victim's loved ones expressed that he was always willing to assist.
Police Inquiry and Apprehensions
Law enforcement reported that the individual may have been hit by police gunfire as they neutralized the perpetrator following the alarm was raised.
He, who was recognized by his relatives as a "hero", was participating in a gathering at the temple when the attack unfolded.
He remained a dear family member, devoted uncle to his family members and a dear extended family member," his relatives stated.
Relatives are stunned by the unexpected loss of a genuinely good person.
"His final act demonstrated great bravery and he will forever be remembered for his brave deed."
Multiple detentions were conducted in connection with the incident, and police indicated that a group were still detained on Sunday morning.
The detained were apprehended for terrorism-related activities.
Those arrested include several men, aged 30 and 32 and both arrested in Prestwich; a female in her 60s detained locally; and a middle-aged female detained in another location.
An 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were freed with no further action, officials reported on Saturday.
