WARNING: This article contains footage of graphic violence.
Footage shared on social media Monday appeared to show a brutal stabbing attack against a bishop in Australia during a live-streamed Assyrian church event.
Four people were apparently stabbed, including Bishop H.G. Mar Mari Emmanuel, at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in a Sydney suburb around 7:15 p.m. Monday evening (local time), according to Sky News. The bishop was delivering an Assyrian sermon when a man dressed in black appeared to approach him and repeatedly stab him as the congregation screamed and ran to the bishop’s aid, as seen in an extremely graphic video shared on social media.
The bishop was transported to Liverpool Hospital where he is said to be in stable condition. New South Wales Ambulance Service told Sky News that four people were stabbed in total, including men in their 50s, 30s, 20s and another in his 60s, the outlet noted. All victims were treated for lacerations.
Shocking stabbing attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the Assyrian Aramaic Church in Western Sydney. Sky News is reporting that four people have been stabbed. Suspect is in custody and the bishop is in a stable condition at Liverpool Hospital pic.twitter.com/qQ8RMGwvQ8
— Drew Pavlou 🇦🇺🇺🇦🇹🇼🇨🇾 (@DrewPavlou) April 15, 2024
“The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics,” law enforcement told the outlet. “The community is urged to avoid the area.” A riot was said to erupt in the streets following the stabbing, with some witnesses reporting that capsicum spray was used outside the church. (RELATED: Woman Claims She Was ‘Dreaming’ While Stabbing Ex-Boyfriend 19 Times: Court Docs)
This latest attack comes just days after a mass stabbing in Bondi Junction, Sydney, where six people were killed and 12 others were wounded. Police shot and killed the stabbing suspect Joel Cauchi, 40, who was said to be acting out as a result of his mental health issues, the BBC reported.