Yoni Finlay said he helped barricade the doors to Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue as the attacker tried to force his way in
Yoni Finlay said he helped barricade the doors to Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue as the attacker tried to force his way in
A man injured when he was shot during the attack on a synagogue in Manchester has said “what happened to me was a miracle” as “God chose to save me on that day”. Yoni Finlay is believed to have been hit by a police bullet at Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue in Crumpsall on October 2.
He is reported to have been helping to barricade the doors as Jihad Al-Shamie targeted the place of worship. Jihad Al Shamie, the terrorist who targeted Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation on October 2, was shot dead by police at the scene.
Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz lost their lives, while three other men including Yoni were treated in hospital for serious injuries. They have since been discharged. Asked how he is processing the incident in north Manchester on podcast Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett in a clip played to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “It’s incredibly difficult.
“People have asked me how my faith is now after what happened, and the only answer is it’s stronger than ever.
“And I think the only way I can get through this is by faith. I know that what happened to me was a miracle. I know that for whatever reason, God chose to save me on that day, which gives me responsibility as well.”
He added: “Because I was centimetres, millimetres, whatever it was, you know, if I’d be one step to the left or one step to the… who knows, I wouldn’t be here now. So again, it’s dealing with that. But then that’s where my faith comes in. For whatever reason, I’ve been given more time.”
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News three weeks after the attack, Mr Finlay insisted that he is ‘not a hero’, describing the men who died as ‘the real heroes’. In a later interview with the Guardian, the dad-of-four has opened up about his ‘survivors’ guilt’.
He also told the paper about the moment everyone inside the synagogue ‘heard a bang’ and he rushed to the entrance to see what was happening. Mr Finlay said he helped barricade the doors as the attacker tried to force his way in – but the doors were ‘buckling’, he said.
The dad said he had never seen such a large blade on a knife as the one carried by the attacker who was also wearing what looked like a bomb strapped to his waist that was later found to be fake. He told the Guardian he ‘saw evil’ as he looked at Al-Shamie.
Armed police, who arrived within seven minutes, shot Al-Shamie. But the police bullet also reportedly hit those on the other side of the door.
A total of seven people have been arrested in connection with the attack. Following the latest arrest on November 29, assistant chief constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “At around midday, officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the appalling terrorist attack that took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
“The man was arrested at Manchester Airport after arriving on an inbound flight and has been taking into custody for questioning. The loved ones of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz have been updated on this development, as have those who were seriously injured in the attack.
“Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again appeal for anyone with information that they think could assist our enquiries to please come forward.
“We are also still seeking to identify and speak to anyone who was present at the time of the incident or the immediate aftermath so that we can ensure they have access to all the welfare support options that are available to witnesses.
“If you believe you may have been one of those witnesses or have information that could help us identify them then please contact us via the Major Incident Public Portal or by calling 0161 856 3946.”
