A violent attack that injured two priests in a western Sydney church has been regarded as a terrorist act.
The assailant, who was 16 years old at the time, had a history of knife offenses. Investigators believe the attack was motivated by religious beliefs.
NSW Premier Chris Minns revealed that the student was apprehended in 2020 for possessing a weapon and was placed on a good behavior bond a few months later.
In light of the recent stabbing incidents in Sydney, he said he would consider introducing tougher knife laws.
Mr Minns noted that the state government had already made significant changes to the laws following the death of paramedic Steven Tougher.
The Bishop of the Assyrian church was attacked during a live broadcast of his sermon on Monday.
A man with a knife was able to stab him before the other priest was able to intervene. The incident was regarded as terrorism and prompted the NSW Police Commissioner to expand the powers of search and seizure.
Additional powers could be used to prevent future attacks, though Ms Webb noted that these were not requested.
In a video showing the attack, which was captured by churchgoers, the assailant can be seen walking toward the altar and stabbing the bishop. He was immediately apprehended by the congregation and taken into custody.
The weapon used in the attack was described as a flick knife, and it’s believed that the blade severed the attacker’s finger. Officials from the Australian Security Intelligence Organization supported the NSW Police’s decision to label the incident as terrorism. Mike Burgess said that the incident was likely motivated by religious beliefs..
There’s no evidence indicating that other people were involved in the attack, but an investigation is still ongoing. Mr Minns and Steve Kamper, the minister for multicultural affairs, thanked the faith leaders for their efforts in preventing the incident from escalating. Paramedics and police officers were also injured when a violent crowd started to descend on the area.
The Assyrian church released a statement to appeal for calm and stated that the bishop and a senior priest were in stable condition. It is a conservative Christian organization that adheres to a different version of Christianity from the major denominations in Australia. According to a report by the Minority Rights Group, the number of Assyrian Christians in the Middle East has decreased due to the rise of ISIS.
Emmanuel has been known for his outspoken views on various topics, such as the COVID-19 outbreak. He also criticized Islamic teachings. Frank Carbone, the mayor of the area where the attack occurred, noted that it was a frightening moment for the community. A 16-year-old boy was apprehended as a suspect.
He also stated that something needed to be done to prevent similar attacks. The incident occurred just two days after a mass stabbing at a shopping center in Sydney, which left six dead. Although the incident was considered a terrorist act, it wasn’t labeled as such. The assailant, who was also shot and killed by police, was a mentally ill individual.