WARNING: Distressing content.
The teenage boy accused of a stabbing attack during a service at a church in Western Sydney is undergoing surgery after his finger was severed in the incident.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Latest on Western Sydney church stabbing.
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Christian leader Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, Father Isaac Royel and two churchgoers were stabbed during the livestreamed service at Wakeley’s Christ The Good Shepherd Church on Box Rd just before 7.10pm on Monday.
A 16-year-old suspect was arrested and had “sustained injuries to his hand as a result of his actions”, NSW acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said.
The weapon allegedly used has been described as a flick knife, with detectives investigating if the boy lost the finger as part of the incident or the unrest afterwards.
The stabbing suspect was held down by parishioners of the church until police arrived.
The teenager was known to police but was not on a terror watch list, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier said.
The commissioner said Strike Force Petrina had been formed, with a decision made overnight to investigate the incident as a terrorist act.
“A referral has been made to the joint counterterrorism investigation team that we will work jointly with … AFP and other Commonwealth agencies in this investigation,” she said on Tuesday morning.
Webb confirmed the teenager had not been on any terrorism watch lists, however, said police would allege he acted with “a degree of pre-meditation”.
“This should be an isolated incident, but it will be investigated and those involved can expect to be prosecuted,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was “no place for violent extremism” in Australia.
“We are a peace-loving nation,” he said.
“This is a time to unite, not divide us as a community and as a country.”
Albanese said the National Security Committee had been briefed on the matter.
“We understand the distress and concerns that are there in the community, particularly after the tragic event at Bondi Junction on Saturday,” he said.
“But it is not acceptable to impede and injure police doing their duty or to damage police vehicles in a way that we saw last night.
“People should not take the law into their own hands, but should allow our police and our security agencies to do their job.”
Meanwhile, Emmanuel was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he remains in a serious, but stable condition.
Royel was also taken to hospital, in a stable condition, while another four people were treated by ambulance paramedics at the scene.
Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Following the livestream, an angry mob descended on the church, and riot police forcibly moved the crowd on after police cars were smashed.
Two police officers were also taken to hospital after being injured by members of the crowd who broke into “a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police”.
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia said they “unequivocally condemn” the attacks on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
“These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders,” they said in a statement on Monday night.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bishop Emmanuel and the victims, and we pray for their speedy recovery.
“We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and the security of all Australians.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns urged calm on Monday night after the incident, with police suggesting images of the mayhem at the church had sparked the furious community response.
“Those violent pictures are probably what caused the uproar in the community — people saw that, responded and unfortunately we ended up with a public order incident,” NSW acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland told reporters.
Terrified worshippers have shared their prayers for their beloved priest.
“It was pretty bad,” a worshipper told 7NEWS.
“A lot of people are angry at the guy who (allegedly) tried to hurt our bishop and our priest.
“He’s our bishop, and we love him very much … we hope he’s OK.”
– With AAP