Sydney church stabbing declared a terror attack ‘motivated by religious extremism’ - as teenage boy arrested

16 April 2024, 05:35 | Updated: 16 April 2024, 05:54

By Kieran Kelly

@kellyjourno

Police have declared that the knife attack that took place in a Sydney church on Monday is being treated as a terror attack and believe it was ‘motivated by religious extremism’.

A teenager has been arrested after a stabbing attack at a church in which four people were injured.

Police were called to the scene in the Australian city after a knifeman attacked four people at a church, including a bishop. None of the victims were killed.

Officers said they arrested a teenage boy who was "known to police", adding that he was suffering from "severe" injuries.

At a press conference early on Tuesday morning in Sydney, NSW Commissioner Karen Webb said: "I declared that it was a terrorist incident.

"We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism."

Read more: 'Riot' breaks out after second Sydney stabbing with church goers holding attacker 'captive'

Read more: Moment grinning attacker is detained by congregation after Sydney church stabbing that left four injured

Police said they were keeping him in a secure location after arresting him.

AC Holland said: "The parishioners did a fantastic job subduing him after he stabbed the two clergy members."

Meanwhile riots broke out after the attack, with two police officers injured while taking part in a "wide-scale operation".

One of the officers suffered a broken jaw and another a twisted knee and chipped tooth, while several police vehicles were damaged.

It is the second stabbing attack in Sydney in three days, after a knifeman went on a rampage in a shopping centre, killing six. There is currently no indication that the two attacks are linked.

Officers said in an update on Monday afternoon: "A police operation in Sydney’s southwest has concluded following the alleged stabbing of a number of people.

Unsettling footage shows alleged Sydney stabbing suspect grinning while being restrained by parishioners

"About 7.10pm (10.10am UK time) on Monday 15 April 2024, police were called to Welcome Street, Wakeley, following reports a number of people were stabbed.

"Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command, supported by multiple police resources from a number of commands and specialist units attended.

"A male was arrested on scene and he has been removed from the church and taken to an undisclosed location.

"The injured individuals suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being conveyed to hospital.

"Police launched a wide-scale operation a public order incident at the location, during which two police officers were injured and a number of police vehicles sustained damage.

"A constable was hit with a metal object and sustained a twisted knee and a chipped tooth.

"Another constable sustained a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and a fence paling. They were both taken to hospital for treatment."

The stabbing at Christ the Good Shepherd Church "sparked a huge uproar", according to Alex Heinke, a reporter for 9 News Australia.

Mr Heinke told LBC that people had been marching through the streets with items such as rocks, bricks and tree stumps and causing "destruction".

He added the alleged attacker was held "captive" by church goers who were attending mass and that riot police had get through the crowds in order to arrest him.

Mr Heinke said both police and civilian cars have been damaged in the disorder with glass being smashed in the street.

He added locals of the quiet Sydney suburb have locked themselves inside their homes.

Other videos on social media shows police struggling to deal with large crowds outside the Assyrian Aramaic church.

Horror footage shows moment bishop is attacked in Sydney

Footage of the harrowing attack was shared on social media.

The video shows Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel speaking to the congregation before a man dressed in all black walks up to him and allegedly stabs him a number of times.

Screams can be heard before a live feed of the Mass, which was being shown on YouTube, was quickly cut off.

Read more: Parents of Sydney stabber apologise and say 'monster' son 'may have killed women because he wanted a girlfriend'

Four men suffered lacerations in the attack, with two being taken to hospital.