Police: Attack on Orthodox Church in Sydney was a Terrorist Incident

Australian society is shocked again. Following the attack at the Sydney mall, earlier this week a teenager stabbed Bishop

AP / MARK BAKER

The police stand guard outside the Assyrian Orthodox Church, Good Shepherd Christ, Wakeley, New South Wales, Australia, on Monday (15/4/2024) after a teenager stabbed a bishop and priest who were leading the service, causing a riot.

SYDNEY, TUESDAY - New South Wales Police declared the stabbing of the bishop of the Assyrian Orthodox Church, Christ the Good Shepherd on Monday (15/4 /2024) as a terrorist attack. Even so, the police assess that the terror threat level does not need to be increased. The head of Australia's Intelligence Agency said the suspect appeared to have acted alone. He said there was no urgent need to increase the level of terror threat in the kangaroo country.

"At this stage, it appears to be an individual's action," said Head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Mike Burgess, who is known for rarely commenting. "At this point, there is no indication of anyone being involved, but the investigation is still ongoing," he said.

Also read: Stabbing Occurs Again in Sydney, A Bishop Injured

Meanwhile, in a press conference held on Tuesday (16/4/2024), the New South Wales police confirmed that the attack that occurred on Monday night was a terrorist attack. “After considering all the material, I declare it was a terrorist incident,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said.

Webb stated that the attack is considered an act of religiously motivated "extremism" that intimidates the community. He added that the victims are still receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

(BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAP IMAGE VIA AP)

New South Wales State Police Commissioner Karen Webb, center, at a press conference in Sydney, Tuesday (16/4/2024).

The Australian community is still recovering from the stabbing incident that killed six people at the Bondi Junction shopping center last Saturday. The stabbing incident at the Good Shepherd Assyrian Church of the East in Wakeley, a city in western Sydney, occurred just three days after the stabbing incident at the shopping center.

The attack in Wakeley was carried out by a 16-year-old teenager. He attacked a bishop who was leading an evening mass. He also injured several people who were trying to apprehend him.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Holland explained that the incident caused Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Pastor Isaac Royel, the teenage perpetrator, as well as two police officers to be hospitalized. There were no fatalities in the attack and the police managed to arrest the perpetrator.

From the online broadcast, the congregation who were taking part in worship witnessed someone dressed in black approaching the Bishop at the altar. He then stabbed the bishop several times in the head and upper body. Meanwhile, the people inside the church building screamed and ran towards the bishop to stop the perpetrator's actions.

AFP/DAVID GRAY

Concerned locals briefly clashed with police who were on guard in front of the Good Shepherd Assyrian Orthodox Church in Wakeley, New South Wales on Monday (15/4/2024).

Holland praises the community who successfully subdued a perpetrator, who was a 16-year-old teenager. The perpetrator was captured before the police were called. "The perpetrator suffered severe injuries to his hands," said Holland.

After local residents who were concerned about the attack tried to track down the perpetrators, the police have secured the culprit in a safe and undisclosed location.

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More than 100 police officers wearing anti-riot gear successfully prevented protesters from entering the church. There was a brief commotion between the crowd and the police guarding the church. The police then pushed the crowd to retreat and asked them to disperse.

An AFP journalist at the scene saw projectiles being thrown before police, dressed in anti-riot gear and body protection, managed to push the protesters away from the church. Twenty police vehicles and several homes were damaged due to the actions of the demonstrators who threw bottles, bricks, and other objects.

AFP / DAVID GRAY

Residents clean up the broken glass of a police car vandalized during the riot outside the Asyrian Orthodox Church of Christ the Good Shepherd building in Wakeley, New South Wales, on Monday (15/4/2024).

According to police reports, a police officer was hit with a metal object and suffered a sprained knee and lost his teeth. Another police officer suffered a broken jaw after being hit with a brick and fence. About 30 others were treated after a riot occurred outside the church.

After the clash, the situation at the church has calmed down. However, there are still many police officers assigned to the church to secure the environment and the church.

The Prime Minister of the State of New South Wales, Chris Minns, issued a statement together with Christian and Muslim leaders. They are calling for calmness. "We urge everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other," the statement reads. "Now is the time to show that we are strong and united."

Also read: Stabbing Occurs Again in Sydney, A Bishop is Injured

Located in the western outskirts of Sydney, Wakeley is known as a small Assyrian Christian community center in Sydney. Many of the community members are refugees who have fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria.

There is also a known division within the local Assyrian community. Specifically related to the controversial teachings of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel regarding Covid-19 and gender issues.

Holland added that the knife attack at the Bondi Junction shopping center last weekend has increased public response to the stabbing at the church. "Given the recent knife incidents in Sydney, there is clearly concern," he said.

"At this stage, we have asked everyone to think rationally. We are talking to community leaders and members of society to communicate with the local community, to try and keep the community calm," said Holland. (AP/AFP)