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Sydney church stabbing treated as 'terrorist act' Sydney church stabbing treated as 'terrorist act'
(about 1 hour later)
Watch: Police disperse hundreds of protesters that gathered outside the church after the stabbingWatch: Police disperse hundreds of protesters that gathered outside the church after the stabbing
Watch: Police disperse hundreds of protesters that gathered outside the church after the stabbingWatch: Police disperse hundreds of protesters that gathered outside the church after the stabbing
Australian police have declared Monday's stabbing at a church in Sydney a "terrorist act". Australian police have declared Monday's stabbing at a Sydney church a religiously motivated "terrorist act".
A 15-year-old boy was arrested after a bishop and several churchgoers were stabbed during the sermon. A 15-year-old boy was arrested after a bishop, a priest and churchgoers were attacked at a sermon at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church.
The incident happened in the evening at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley. At least four people suffered "non-life-threatening" injuries, police say. The attacker was also hurt.
At least four people were stabbed but police say none of their injuries were life-threatening. The incident triggered unrest. The incident was captured on a church livestream and quickly triggered unrest in the suburb of Wakeley.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the church, clashing with police - two of whom were injured. Hundreds of people gathered outside the Assyrian Orthodox Church - about 35km south-west of the city centre - and clashed with police. Two officers were injured, one with a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and fence paling. Twenty police vehicles were also damaged, with 10 left unusable.
Twenty police vehicles were damaged - with 10 left unusable. The violence similarly left paramedics retreating for cover in the church, where they were "holed up" there for more than three hours.
Speaking to media on Tuesday morning, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the bishop and priest were undergoing surgery and are "lucky to be alive". Investigations are still underway, but police are satisfied it was a case of religious extremism, she said.
The bishop has been named by local media as Mar Mari Emmanuel. Ordained in 2011, he is seen as a popular and controversial figure and his sermons have received millions of views on social media.
The teenager allegedly made comments to the bishop as he approached which were "centred around religion", and police believe staging the attack during a livestreamed service was intended to be "intimidating not only [to] the parishioners in attendance, but those parishioners who were watching online".
Commissioner Webb said the suspect was acting alone, and while "known to police", he was not on any terror watch list.
The alleged offender has also been in surgery after his fingers were injured, police said, but it is unclear if he sustained injuries with his own weapon or when he was apprehended by the congregation.
The bishop was reportedly stabbed while giving a sermon that was being livestreamedThe bishop was reportedly stabbed while giving a sermon that was being livestreamed
Chief commissioner Karen Webb said those involved in the riots would be hunted by police, describing the actions as "unacceptable". The incident came only days after the nation was shocked by a separate and unrelated stabbing at a popular Sydney shopping centre, which left seven people dead.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said: "I convened a meeting of faith leaders representing major religious organisations across Western Sydney. The head of Australian intelligence, Mike Burgess, explained during a press briefing on Tuesday why this particular case has been determined to be a terrorist attack."Simple answer is to call it a terrorist act you need indications of, well, information or evidence that suggest actually the motivation was religiously motivated or ideologically motivated," Mr Burgess says.
"And their message to their communities was universal and identical, and that is that they deplore violence in all forms that they have faith in the New South Wales police to undertake their investigation. "In the case of Saturday [the mall attack], that was not the case. In this case, the information we have and the police have before us, indicates that is strongly the case."
"They call for peace amongst all communities in Sydney, and most importantly, that people remain calm during this obviously distressing period." "NSW is on edge and there's understandable community anxiety at the moment," said state premier Chris Minns. He appealed for calm, echoing calls from religious and community leaders.
Paramedics had to retreat for cover in the church and were "holed up" there for more than three hours. Sydney stabbings: Who were the victims?
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"Their message to their communities was universal and identical, and that is that they deplore violence in all forms, [and] that they have faith in the NSW Police to undertake their investigation," Mr Minns said.
A strike force has also been assembled to investigate the riot, Ms Webb said. "Those involved in the riot can expect a knock at the door... We will find you and we will come and arrest you," she added.
The head of the NSW Ambulance also called the behaviour from crowds "outrageous".
"Our people, that do nothing but go to care and help every single day, need to know that they've got the support of the community. If they don't... who will come and do these jobs?"
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