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Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy after a prominent bishop and three other men were allegedly stabbed during a service at an Assyrian Orthodox church in Sydney’s southwest.
A video circulating on social media shows Christian leader Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel allegedly attacked at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley while delivering his sermon at around 7.10pm on Monday.
After the attack, an angry mob of about 2,000 gathered near the church, riots broke out and police struggled to maintain order.
Police said the boy had serious injuries to his hand amid rumors that his finger was cut off during the melee. Officers had to barricade themselves inside the church with the boy for several hours while the violence continued outside.
Several police officers were injured while trying to control the crowd.
Police have said that none of the injuries suffered by any of the four victims were life-threatening.
It is understood that Father Isaac Royel, who serves in the Assyrian ministry at St Shimun Bar Sabbae and St Mary’s Cathedral, was among the injured.
In a statement released shortly before 10:30 p.m., Christ the Good Shepherd Church revealed that both Bishop Emmanuel and Father Isaac were in “stable condition.”
Crowds also formed at Liverpool Hospital after at least some of those injured in the church were taken there for treatment.
It is understood that the hospital was closed as a result.
Christian leader Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly attacked at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday night.
Footage has emerged of the alleged attacker being pinned face down by at least three people, including a police officer, while he smiled and appeared to mock his captors.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was helped by parishioners after the alleged attack (pictured)
Alleged attack
Shocking footage of the alleged attack showed the bishop speaking as a younger person dressed in black calmly approached him.
The bishop looked at the alleged attacker, who then made a stabbing motion to the face and neck.
Then the bishop fell to the ground.
Screams were heard from the crowd, as several people rushed to try to help.
The images were taken from a live stream from the church’s YouTube page.
Some of those injured during the attack were rushed to Liverpool Hospital (pictured), which was closed after large crowds formed outside.
Angry crowds gathered in south-west Sydney after stabbing attack
Police officer injured at scene of Wakeley stabbing
Rumors: a boy had his finger cut off
New South Wales Police gave an update in the early hours of Tuesday morning confirming that the alleged attacker was known to police and was not a regular churchgoer.
Speaking to the media, Acting Deputy Commissioner Andrew Holland said the boy had been detained by worshipers but had been taken to an “undisclosed location” by police.
He had asked to speak to his parents.
Comm Holland was also asked about rumors that the boy had his finger cut off after the attack in an act of revenge.
In the confronted images, the alleged attacker appears to be held by several people.
A man, with blood on his jeans, straddles the alleged attacker’s head with his legs.
The video also shows the boy apparently smiling at the camera.
“Reports indicate he has injuries to his hands; I don’t know the extent of those injuries at this time,” Comm Holland said.
“His injuries are quite serious to his hand, he is quite upset and distressed.”
Riots broke out after the alleged stabbing and a video posted on social media showed a large crowd at the scene, with property damaged.
Other images showed dozens of people banging on ambulance windows while onlookers filmed some conflict in the background.
“He’s a fucking dog,” one man can be heard saying.
Police said officers were still “working to restore order” following the riot and will continue to monitor places of worship throughout the night.
Crowds formed outside Liverpool Hospital as injured worshipers received treatment
Chaos breaks out
During the Covid pandemic, Bishop Mar Mari gained notoriety for comments in which He criticized both confinements and vaccines. and said the coronavirus was “just another kind of flu.”
In a statement, the church confirmed that another prominent member of its community, Father Isaac Royel, was among the injured.
“We ask for your prayers at this time,” the statement said.
‘It is the wish of the bishop and the father that you also pray for the perpetrator.
“We also kindly ask anyone in the church to leave in peace.”
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone said the alleged attack was “horrible” and he understood people were “distraught” but also called for calm.
“I understand a lot of people are upset, and rightly so,” he told Sky News.
‘Obviously it’s terrible.
‘I’m sorry for everyone who witnessed that (stabbing), but I ask for calm.
“The police will do their job and please let’s not make their job harder.”
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone called for calm amid chaotic scenes in western Sydney
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the scene as “disturbing”.
“I have received a report from the New South Wales Police and Health Commissioner regarding the situation,” he said in a statement.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the first responders who are working to keep us safe.
‘It is important that the community remains calm and continues to listen and act on the instructions of the police and emergency services.
“We are a strong community in New South Wales and it is important that we all stick together, especially in the face of adversity.”
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson told NCA NewsWire a man in his fifties was taken to Liverpool Hospital with multiple stab wounds.
The attack on the bishop comes just three days after six people died during a stabbing massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre.
Three other people were also injured: a man in his thirties suffered multiple lacerations, a man in his twenties received a cut to his hand and a man in his sixties injured his arm.
“Officers attached to the City of Fairfield Police Area Command attended, supported by multiple police resources from various commands and specialized units,” police said in a statement.
‘A man was arrested and remains in police custody.
“The injured suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital.”
The attack on the Bishop comes just three days after six people were killed during a stabbing massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre.
There is nothing to suggest the two events are related.