police marksmen who shot manchester terrorist dead 'treated as witnesses' by watchdog

The three police officers who shot the Manchester terrorist dead,as well as one of the victims,are being questioned as ‘witnesses’ to the terror attack,a watchdog said.

Jihad Al-Shamie,35,claimed responsibility for the attack after driving at worshippers in his car outside Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue as worshippers attended for the holy day of Yom Kippur.

The 35-year-old is reported to have told an operator: ‘I have killed two Jews in the name of the Islamic State.’

He then attacked others with a knife and tried to storm the synagogue,wearing a fake suicide belt.

Al-Shamie was wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest which turned out not to be ‘viable’

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Father-of-three Melvin Cravitz,66,was killed,along with Adrian Daulby,53,believed to have been inadvertently shot by police as he ran to block the synagogue doors to stop Al-Shamie getting inside to continue his knife rampage.The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) today confirmed they were treating the three officers who were caught on camera shooting Al-Shamie dead as ‘witnesses’.Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said he welcomed that the watchdog had found that ‘no misconduct is apparent’ in the force’s response.IOPC Director Emily Barry said: ‘We have also been in contact with Mr Daulby’s family,along with the other man injured in the incident and his family,to explain our role and will continue to provide support as needed.’Mr Daulby suffered a single but fatal gunshot wound.The other man also suffered a single gunshot wound and received medical treatment for his injuries.The watchdog said that a ballistic expert confirmed these injuries were caused by a police-issue firearm but stressed that investigations continue.Head of Counter Terrorism Policing in the north west Rob Potts,said: ‘Minutes after the first call was made to GMP and as firearms officers were making their way to the scene,Al Shamie called 999 claiming responsibility for the attack.‘He also pledged allegiance to Islamic State.‘The attack continued but thanks to the bravery of security staff,worshippers and the fast action of police,the attacker was prevented from gaining access to the synagogue.’Mr Potts said the police investigation continues and reiterated that while Al-Shamie was on bail for an alleged rape,he was not known to either the Government’s anti-radicalisation program Prevent or to counter terror police.Police at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)He added: ‘However,at this stage of our investigation,we are more confident that he was influenced by extreme Islamist ideology,the 999 call forms part of this assessment. This remains a live counter terrorism investigation.’Mr Potts confirmed the killer had been seen acting suspiciously outside the synagogue shortly before launching the attack.Counter-terror police believe that Al-Shamie,a Syrian-born UK citizen,was influenced by extremist Islamist ideology.He continued: ‘This was not reported to police because the man walked away when challenged.‘Around 15 minutes later,he returned to the scene in a black Kia vehicle and deliberately drove the car at innocent members of the public before colliding with a wall.‘He then stepped out of the vehicle armed with a knife and resumed his attack.‘He had a second knife in his possession and was also wearing a hoax device on his person.’Jihad Al-Shamie was killed at the scene of the attack (Picture: Facebook)Mr Potts added: ‘This has been a week of deep trauma and mourning for the Jewish community at a time when they should have been observing one of the holiest periods in the calendar of their faith.‘From the moment the first call came into police,our efforts have been driven by a desire to establish the truth for all those affected and the wider community.‘They have been at the forefront of our minds and continue to be in our thoughts today.’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.