Sydney Church Stabbing: Premier Chris Minns has warned against vigilante acts following the stabbing at Wakeley church, prompting NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb to officially declare the incident a “terrorist incident.”
Commissioner Webb’s Warning Against Vigilantism
In a press conference on Tuesday, Commissioner Webb declared, “There is no such thing in Australia as taking the law into your own hands” in reference to vigilantism in any form. After the incident, which led to the need for paramedics to treat thirty people, angry members of the community descended upon the church, causing additional rioting that damaged twenty police cars.
Attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel
During a church service, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was the subject of an incident in which a 15-year-old kid stabbed the cleric numerous times. Screams reverberated around the church during the horrific video of the occurrence that was streamed live. Parishioners could be seen running to the bishop’s aid.
Escalation of Violence
After the incident, thousands of enraged people gathered around the church, sparking violent riots that were put down by over 100 police officers, 30 cars, and PolAir aircraft. A witness outside the church attested to the attacker’s repeated yelling of “Allahu Akbar” during the incident.
