A teenage boy who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a Sydney church travelled up to 90 minutes from his home address to allegedly carry out the horrifying attack.
The 16-year-old boy is expected to front court on Friday while under guard in hospital after he was charged with committing a terrorist act under Commonwealth law.
Police allege the teen attacked the 53-year-old bishop and another priest during a live-streamed service at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said items, including electronic devices, were seized from the teen’s home on Tuesday before investigators spoke to the boy.
“Yesterday (Thursday) investigators attended a medical facility to interview the alleged offender, where he was charged with committing a terrorist act,” he said.
“We allege that the act committed meets the definition for reasons outlined in a statement effects, but I will not go into those facts here today.
“I want to reinforce that our job is not done … We target criminality not countries, we investigate radicalisation and not religion.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said police would allege the teen travelled up to 90 minutes from his home address to carry out the attack.
The teenage boy, who cannot be identified, was restrained by parishioners and was later transported to hospital, where he has remained having severed his own finger.
The teen’s arrested sparked a violent confrontation between police, during which the rioters allegedly smashed patrol cars and lobbed bricks and stones at officers.
The first man arrested over the alleged riot, 19-year-old Dani Mansour, was told in court on Thursday he faced allegations he filmed himself kicking two police cars.
The Mt Druitt barber was granted strict conditional bail by Magisstrate Aaron Tang, who ordered Mr Mansour not communicate with any of the 2000 some rioters.