SYDNEY: Just two days after the killing of six people in a knife attack at a shopping mall in Sydney, at least four people, including a bishop, were injured in another knife attack at a church during a service on Monday, triggering clashes between angry residents and police.

While officers arrested a suspect and took him to an undisclosed location in Wakeley, about 30km west of Sydney’s central business district, a large crowd quickly gathered outside the church after the attack, throwing rocks at police and demanding they bring out the perpetrator, according to two witnesses.

Police fired pepper spray as they pushed back people onto nearby streets, according to a Reuters journalist.

Australian police said at least two officers had been hospitalised and vehicles were damaged in community unrest after a knife attack at an Assyrian church in Sydney.

Two police officers injured in unrest after church assault hospitalised

The church leader suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the attack, which was carried out during a service at an Assyrian church called Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

Videos of the incident circulating online showed the bishop of the church, Mar Mari Emmanuel, standing at the altar of the church and speaking to worshippers as another man wearing a black jumper walks towards him and attacks him.

Horrified members of the congregation scream as the man stabs the priest several time in the chest, the videos show.

The motive of the attack is unknown.

The New South Wales ambulance service said at least four people were injured including a man in his 50s who was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

The attack drew condemnation from figures in the city’s Jewish and Muslim communities.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2024