Sydney church stabbing declared a ‘terrorist’ attack
Monday’s Sydney church stabbing has been declared a religiously motivated “terrorist act” by Australian police.
A bishop, a priest and churchgoers were attacked during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church. Four people suffered “non-life-threatening” injuries, police say.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested.
The incident was captured on a church livestream and quickly triggered unrest in the suburb of Wakeley.
Graphic videos of the attack spread quickly online drawing an angry crowd to the Assyrian Orthodox Church. Hundreds of people clashed with police who were guarding the church where the attacker was being treated by paramedics.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened an emergency meeting of national security agencies, calling the attack “disturbing”.
“We’re a peace-loving nation… There’s no place for violent extremism.” Tying to quell further violence, he urged that people “not take the law into their own hands”.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the bishop and priest were undergoing surgery and were “lucky to be alive”.
Sydney Church stabbing suspect
🚨🇦🇺 SYDNEY CHURCH STABBING —PROTESTORS DEMAND VIGILANTE JUSTICE
— Adnan Belushi (@adnanbelushi) April 15, 2024
Parishioners clash with NSW Police following the stabbing of an Assyrian priest in Sydney
The crowd can be heard chanting “Bring him out” as they seek vigilante justice against the man suspected of stabbing Mari… https://t.co/6vVelXPlWV pic.twitter.com/cq9qtciEwm
