Nine people who allegedly took part in a wild church riot after a teenager allegedly stabbed a bishop have been urged by police to surrender.
Eight men and one woman are among suspected rioters who took part in violent attacks outside the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd in Wakeley, western Sydney, on April 15.
The riot, which investigators say grew to involve 2,000 people and injured several police officers, followed the stabbing of Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and priest Isaac Royel during a livestreamed service that day.
Dozens of police officers were injured, their cars were vandalized and some officers and paramedics were forced to take shelter inside the place of worship before the 16-year-old could be safely taken away.
The 16-year-old has been charged with a crime of terrorism for the stabbing that sparked the riot and which police say was religiously motivated.
Thousands of people gathered outside the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd in chaotic scenes (pictured) as dozens of police officers were called to the place of worship to restore order.
New South Wales Police (pictured, heavily armed officers) have established a strike force to investigate the church riot.
Police said 14 men have been charged for their alleged involvement in the riot and are awaiting trial.
NSW Police are searching for nine more in connection with the incident.
Strike Force Dribs commander Andrew Evans urged suspected rioters to come forward to prevent heavily armed officers from entering properties to make arrests.
“If you were there that night and undertook any type of violent criminal action, you need to turn yourself in,” Commander Evans told the Daily Telegraph.
The stern warning comes after dozens of heavily armed officers arrested George Boulous at his home in Picnic Point. Boulous is alleged to have used a metal ladder to break a church window in an attempt to confront the teenager.
‘As you’ve seen today, we will execute those search warrants on families’ homes and as a result, unfortunately, their families, their neighbors and their communities are exposed to police coming through the front door and actively seeking to arrest people.’ Commander Evans said.
Who are the police looking for?
As investigations continue, detectives have released images of eight men and one woman who could assist with their investigations.
The first person depicted (Person P) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with a slim build and short dark hair.
He is shown wearing light colored clothing, dark colored shoes and carrying a black bag on his body.
Person P (pictured) was seen wearing a body bag on the night police allege the violence occurred.
The second person depicted (Person U) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with long dark brown hair tied in a bun and a dark-colored beard.
He is shown wearing a light colored shirt.
A man with a dark beard who had his hair in a bun (person U pictured) is also a person of interest who police intend to speak to about the alleged riot.
The third person depicted (Person V) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with a solid build and a dark-colored beard.
He is shown wearing a gray hooded sweater, black cap, black shorts, and white shoes.
Person V (pictured) was wearing a gray hoodie and black shorts on the night the alleged violence occurred.
The fourth person depicted (Person Z) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance and a muscular build.
He is shown wearing a black t-shirt, shorts, cap and shoes.
Person Z (pictured), of solid build, was also allegedly involved in the riots.
The fifth person depicted (Person AH) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, of solid build and with a dark colored beard.
He is shown wearing a gray t-shirt.
Police are searching for nine people, including AH (pictured), who allegedly took part in violent scenes that broke out outside a church in western Sydney, when a teenager allegedly stabbed a bishop.
The sixth person depicted (Person AN) is described as a woman of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, medium build, and blonde hair.
She is shown wearing a tank top and shorts, with a shirt tied around her waist and a dark-colored cap.
Person AN (pictured) has blonde hair and was wearing a tank top and shorts and was wearing a cap that night.
The seventh person depicted (Person AO) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, solidly built, with a dark beard and a star tattoo on his right arm.
He is shown wearing a light-colored shirt with dark writing on the back, shorts, and a cap.
Investigators intend to speak with the person AO (pictured) who they allege was involved in the violent scenes.
The eighth person depicted (Persona BC) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with a solid build, dark hair and a beard.
Eight men allegedly took part in the riot, including the BC man (pictured)
He is shown wearing a t-shirt with a motif on the front left.
The ninth person depicted (Person BN) is described as a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, muscular build, dark hair and beard, with a black bandage on his right arm.
Person BN (pictured), who was seen with a bag over his shoulder, also allegedly took part in the violence.
He is shown wearing black pants, a black shoulder bag and white sneakers.
As investigations continue under Strike Force Dribs, anyone who can identify the men depicted or provide information that may assist is asked to contact Fairfield Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
