A brave father who “stopped loads of deaths” at a Manchester synagogue during this week's terror attack was accidentally shot by police, his son said.
Yoni Finlay was injured by a police bullet as he barricaded the doors of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester, as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, brandished a knife.
Two men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed in the attack while another four worshippers were injured in the stabbing frenzy on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year.
Mr Finlay's selfless actions in guarding the door helped to protect terrified worshippers inside the building until Al-Shamie was shot dead by police.
Speaking to ITV Granada, Uriel Finlay, 15, said he was sleeping when he heard the commotion outside. He knew his father would have been at the service as he liked to attend early in the day.
Uriel said: "I ran out the house, I didn't think about anything else and it was complete chaos, there were loads of ambulances, armed police going inside the shul every five minutes.
He couldn't see his father among the victims and was told by the temple's Rabbi that Yoni had accidentally been shot while barricading the synagogue door with other worshippers.
It is understood that a police marksmen's bullet passed through the door and hit Mr Finlay in the chest.
"I spoke to a couple of people that had been in the shul and they told me that he just wasn't going to let him in," said Uriel. "He's a hero, he stopped loads of deaths from happening, and I hope he knows that."
Mr Finlay remains in hospital and is "very weak, very drowsy" and unable to talk normally, his son said on Friday.
Police are continuing to question six people arrested as part of investigations into the background of Manchester synagogue terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, who it emerged was on bail for an alleged rape at the time of the fatal attack.
Counter-terrorism police saying they will seek warrants to give them extra time to continue questioning them.
On Friday Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said two victims, identified elsewhere as Adrian Daulby and Mr Finlay, had been hit by police bullets during the incident. Mr Daulby tragically died at the scene.
The suspect, Jihad Al-Shamie, was not carrying a gun and the only firearms that were discharged that day were from Greater Manchester Police's armed police unit.
Chief Constable Watson said: "Following the terrorist incident yesterday at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, Middleton Road, Crumpsall; further and urgent enquiries continue.
"Overnight, we have taken advice from the Home Office Pathologist ahead of full post-mortem examinations scheduled for later today.
"The Home Office Pathologist has advised that he has provisionally determined, that one of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.
"It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al-Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP's Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community.
"It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end.
"We have also been advised by medical professionals that one of the three victims currently receiving treatment in hospital, has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is mercifully not life threatening.
"It is believed that both victims were close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with all of the families, and the wider community, impacted by this incident across Greater Manchester and beyond.
"Specialist officers are providing support and care for all of those directly affected, including our brave first responders."
Mr Daulby, 53, was one of the brave men with firmly shut the doors against Al-Shamie in order to protect worshippers according to Brian Bell, the synagogue's chief executive.
Mr Bell said: "He was an unassuming member of the synagogue who actually rose to the terrible danger, because he ran to close all the doors, back and front."
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is carrying out an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the shootings.
Emily Barry, director of engagement at the IOPC, said: “As is standard when there has been a fatal police shooting, we are carrying out an independent investigation to establish the facts of what happened, and our findings will be shared with the Coroner in due course.
“IOPC investigators attended the police post-incident procedures and were at the scene last night gathering evidence. We will be present at the post-mortems today to provide independent oversight.
"It is important in these circumstances that the police are able to continue their vital work, and there are established protocols we follow to ensure our role does not hinder their ability to conduct enquiries as part of their own investigations.
“We will share further information when we are in a position to do so.”
Sir Keir Starmer has urged people planning to protest in Manchester and London this weekend to "respect the grief of British Jews" as he said demonstrations could cause further pain to mourners.
Writing in The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News, the Prime Minister said: "This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain."
A minute's silence will be held at Old Trafford on Saturday during Manchester United's match against Sunderland in tribute to the victims, with players expected to wear black armbands.
Head of counter-terrorism policing Laurence Taylor said on Friday that a "suspicious device" attached to Al-Shamie's torso had been confirmed as fake following analysis and that police believed he "may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology".
He added: "Based on some fast time assessments conducted on our systems, this individual does not appear to be known to counter-terrorism policing, however he does have a non-CT (counter-terror) related criminal history.
"This includes a recent arrest for rape, which resulted in him being bailed."
