The authorities in Australia have classified a stabbing incident at a Sydney church as a terrorist attack, as confirmed by New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Tuesday.
The incident unfolded at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, located in western Sydney, on Monday evening, prompting a response from law enforcement after reports emerged of a stabbing that left two individuals wounded, according to Webb.
Law enforcement detained a 16-year-old boy at the scene, who had reportedly been subdued by members of the public.
Webb disclosed that the young suspect allegedly uttered remarks during the assault, leading authorities to classify it as a terrorist act after thorough assessment of the evidence.
The teenager was subsequently transported to a medical facility, where he remained under police supervision. He had undergone surgery to address injuries sustained during the purported attack.
In the midst of the police's response to the incident, a significant crowd gathered outside the church premises, Webb remarked.
She further noted that projectiles were hurled at officers, resulting in multiple injuries and hospitalizations.
Webb condemned the violent turn of events, emphasizing that the aggression directed towards law enforcement was intolerable. She reiterated that police had intervened to aid the Wakeley community in light of distress calls, only to face hostility from the crowd.
This incident occurred just days after a separate stabbing incident at a Sydney shopping center, which claimed six lives and left numerous others wounded. Authorities clarified that the perpetrator, who was reportedly grappling with mental health issues, was not believed to have terrorist motives behind the attack.
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