A Christian leader and several worshippers have been stabbed multiple times during a church service in Sydney, with the attack broadcast live on YouTube.
The alleged perpetrator, a 15-year-old, was arrested and taken to an undisclosed location by police as an angry crowd gathered outside the church.
It comes just two days since a man armed with a knife murdered six people in a Bondi mall.
The incident at Wakeley’s Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church occurred at 7.10pm last night, according to New South Wales Police.
The service was being live streamed on the church’s YouTube page.
Graphic video of the incident showed a man dressed in a black hoodie approaching the Bishop and stabbing him multiple times in the head, neck and back.
Screams could be heard as other worshippers rush to the bishop’s aid as he fell to the floor. Three worshippers were also stabbed in a resulting confrontation.
The victim was Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a prominent Orthodox Christian leader.
Churchgoers can be seen rushing to the victim’s aid. The video has now been removed from YouTube.
Daily Mail Australia said Christ The Good Shepherd Church had almost 200,000 subscribers on its channel.
9News has reported up to four people have been injured in the attack.
!⚠️ Graphic warning ⚠️
Sydney Australia’s Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, was one of 4 allegedly stabbed during an attack at Christ The Good Shepherd Church 😔.
The Bishop is reportedly in stable condition.https://t.co/Gi9Wj4LxWc pic.twitter.com/zYP6Wq65NS
— Drea Humphrey – Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 15, 2024
Multiple police and ambulance crews raced to the scene, with NSW Police confirming they responded to reports of a stabbing and one man had been taken into custody.
”Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries,” a statement said.
“The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics.”
Police urged members of the public to avoid the area.
There was no indication last night’s event was linked to the Bondi mall attacks, 9News said.
7News reported NSW Ambulance were treating four patients.
Two men aged in their 50s and 30s had multiple lacerations.
A man in his 20s was being treated with a laceration on his hand and a man in his 60s with a laceration on his arm, 7News reported.
The men suffered non-life threatening injuries.
A statement posted to social media by the church said the bishop and a second man, Father Isaac Royel, were in a stable condition in hospital.
“We ask for your prayers at this time. It is the Bishop’s and Father’s wishes that you also pray for the perpetrator.”
