LAST UPDATE | 15 Apr
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has been detained over the stabbing of a bishop and a second clergyman at a church in Sydney during a live-steamed sermon.
New South Wales acting assistant commissioner Andrew Holland said the suspect was being treated for wounds to his hand and had been taken to a secure location after the attack sparked community unrest.
The incident happened at around 7.10pm local time (10.10am Irish time).
Worshipers were at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, west of Sydney, where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was carrying out an evening prayer service.
Police said in a statement on X earlier that a male had been arrested at the scene and had been taken to an undisclosed location.
They have now confirmed a 15-year-old boy has been detained.
Local media in Australia have said at least four people were injured.
The New South Wales police service said all of those injured suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by paramedics.
It is understood that the Bishop, who has a large social media following, was one of those injured during the incident.
At least two officers have also been hospitalised and vehicles have been damaged in community unrest following the attack.
Holland said the officers were injured by community members who threw “bottles, bricks and other items” as they tried to reach the person who stabbed the bishop.
The Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, has descibed the incident as “disturbing”, adding that “it’s important that the remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of police and emergency services”.
“We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity,” Minns said.
He added: “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe.”
It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services.
— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) April 15, 2024
We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity.
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A large police response followed the attack today and the public has been urged to avoid the area.
The attack comes just two days after six people were killed in a mass-stabbing incident in at a shopping centre near Australia’s Bondi beach on Saturday. The suspect was shot dead by police.
With reporting by Hayley Halpin and © AFP 2024
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