A stabbing during a live broadcast of a service at a church in Australia, Monday (15/4), left four people injured and sparked clashes between police and angry local residents.
A bishop and a 15-year-old suspect were among the victims receiving treatment for injuries in the incident at the Assyrian Christian Church in Sydney.
Police said the suspect was detained at an undisclosed location following his actions sparked anger among local residents and left two police personnel injured.
The church stabbing came two days following a man armed with a knife killed two people at a Sydney mall before being shot dead by police.
X Australian Jewish Association—Stabbing at a church in Sydney, Australia
The video showing the stabbing in the church shows the perpetrator emerging from among the congregation and then running to the altar stabbing wildly at Bishop Mar Mar Mari Emmanuel before being restrained by other congregation.
A number of netizens speculated regarding the motive behind the attack but nothing was confirmed by the police.
Also read: Man with mental disorders identified as perpetrator of attack at Sydney mall
A tense atmosphere prevailed outside the church following the stabbing with angry residents trying to get past the police barricades to attack the suspected attacker.
Residents threw a number of objects before riot police dispersed them from the church yard.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of New South Wales Police Andrew Holland said the action by local residents was an emotional response to an incident inside the church that was sparked by images and videos circulating on the internet.
Two police officers were injured and a number of houses were damaged due to residents throwing bottles, stones and other objects.
The stabbing incident occurred at the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd. The church is located in Wakeley, Sydney, which is home to the Assyrian Christian community, who fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria. (AFP/Z-1)
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