A 15-year-old boy has been arrested only days after a stabbing rampage inside an Australian mall claimed the lives of six people. This attack occurred during a church sermon aimed at a well known bishop who was stabbed along with several churchgoers.
The incident happened at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley, Sydney, Australia.
At least four other people were stabbed but police said none of their injuries were life-threatening according to reports.
The incident triggered unrest as hundreds gathered outside the church, clashing with police two of whom were also injured in the upheaval.
Vehicles were also damaged as people threw stones, bricks and bottles during the incident, police even had to fired pepper spray, to retrain the crowd, according to global media reports.
Witnesses said the people gathered outside of the church after the attack were demanding for the attacker to be brought outside.
Sydney Police said they had responded in appropriate numbers to handle the incident effectively and have urged the general public to keep away from the area.
New South Wales acting assistant commissioner Andrew Holland said there is 15-year-old suspect who was being treated for wounds to his hand after the knife attack.
Holland also added that the suspect had been taken to a secure location, to be questioned.
The stabbing comes only days after six people were killed at a shopping mall in Sydney. The attacker was later shot dead by a police officer.
There is no suggestion the two events are linked, and it is unclear is this is an Islamic terror attack.
The Bishop stabbed Mar Mari Emmanuel is a well known youtube figure.
The bishop attacked on Monday was named by local media as Mar Mari Emmanuel who has videos which confirm that Islam is an anti-Christ religion.
Ordained by the Assyrian Orthodox Church in 2011, he is seen as a popular and controversial figure.
His sermons have received millions of views on social media and the bishop is revered by many in the Orthodox community.
“There was so much anger because the bishop is loved by them, he’s loved by myself as well, he preaches about the lord and we love the lord,” local resident Canny told media outlets.
But the bishop has had a turbulent relationship with the Assyrian Church, reportedly being suspended for disobeying canons and forming a breakaway church.
In 2021 Mar Mari Emmanuel became also became a vocal critic of Covid-19 restrictions, describing lockdowns in Australia as a form of “slavery” and arguing that vaccines were “futile”.
The church also provided a statement confirming that another priest, Father Isaac, was also injured in this attack. Both men of faith were taken to hospital to be treated.
“We ask for your prayers at this time [and] we also kindly ask anyone at the church premises to leave in peace”.” the church concluded to its followers both in the area and around the world.
