Australia: Multiple People Injured In Church Stabbing Incident Near Sydney, Second Attack In 3 Days

Multiple people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a stabbing incident at a church in Walkley, Australia. This comes as a second such incident after a stabbing in Sydney claimed six lives.

A male suspect has been apprehended after several individuals sustained injuries in a stabbing incident at a church in Australia's Walkley near Sydney. (Image used for representational purposes only)

Source : Getty Images

Several individuals sustained injuries in a stabbing incident at a church in Australia's Walkley, located approximately 30 km west of Sydney's central business district, as confirmed by police authorities on Monday. A male suspect has been apprehended and is currently cooperating with the ongoing police investigation, according to a statement released by law enforcement.

The injured individuals suffered "non-life-threatening" wounds and are currently receiving medical treatment from paramedics, police officials stated.

In a post, the NSW Police Force stated, "A police operation is underway in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing. Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome Street, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed. Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries. The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics. More information will be provided once it becomes available."

A police operation is underway in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome Street, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed.

Officers arrested a male and he is assisting…

— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) April 15, 2024

Sydney Attacker Targetted Women, Father Says He Was 'Frustrated'

In the previous tragic incident that shook Sydney, an attacker wielding a knife claimed the lives of six individuals at a shopping mall in the beachside suburb of Bondi, before being shot dead by the police. The harrowing episode unfolded on Saturday at the bustling Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre, sending shockwaves through the community as hundreds scrambled to safety.

According to a statement released by the police, the assailant, identified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, targeted shoppers in the mall, with five of the six victims being women. Eight others, including a nine-month-old baby, sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment, news agency Reuters reported. New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb, speaking at a press conference, conveyed the grim details of the attack.

"It's obvious to me, it's obvious to detectives that seems to be an area of interest that the offender had focused on women and avoided the men," Commissioner Webb remarked, shedding light on the attacker's apparent targetting of women, as quoted by Reuters' report.

Joel Cauchi's father, Andrew Cauchi, shared insights into his son's troubled history, citing a long-standing battle with mental illness and frustrations with women. "He wanted a girlfriend and he has no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain," Andrew Cauchi lamented, as reported by The Australian newspaper.

Inspector Amy Scott, the officer who ultimately confronted and fatally shot Joel Cauchi on the fifth floor of the mall, acted swiftly in the face of danger. The police have ruled out ideology as a motive behind the attack, although they are probing the possibility of the assailant's specific focus on women.

Among the victims was Faraz Tahir, a 30-year-old security guard and refugee from Pakistan, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia mourned his loss, highlighting his recent arrival in the country.

Furthermore, the sixth victim was identified as Yixuan Cheng, a Chinese national studying in Australia. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the senseless violence, the New South Wales government has announced an A$18 million independent coronial inquest into the attack. However, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has ruled out implementing new regulations allowing private security guards to carry firearms.