The teenage boy who allegedly stabbed a bishop in the middle of a livestreamed sermon is yet to be questioned by police and remains in hospital following extensive surgery.
The 16-year-old, who can’t be named for legal reasons, allegedly lunged at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, 53, at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney’s south-west on Monday night.
Several parishioners who rushed to the bishop’s aid were also injured in the incident, as was the alleged attacker who cut off his own finger in the botched attack, which was later declared as a terrorism incident.
The boy was taken to an undisclosed hospital, where he remains under police guard with officers keeping a bedside vigil.
He has undergone surgery to the severed finger, which may require further surgery.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley told Sky News on Wednesday that the boy would not be able to be interviewed by counter-terrorism officers or charged until he was released from care, which may not be for another three or four days.
‘Conversations had not yet taken place,’ Ms Catley said.
‘He has been through a very long operation.
The teenage boy who alleged stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel (pictured) has spent his second night in hospital
READ MORE: Troubling audio message circulating among Muslims after attack
The alleged attacker is pictured in the aftermath of the stabbing
‘He will be co-operating because the police will make sure that he co-operates.’
The minister wouldn’t comment whether the teen had been radicalised online but confirmed it will be part of the investigation.
‘And let me tell you, there will be no stone unturned in relation to this investigation,’ Ms Catley said.
‘Police will go through all of this youth’s life with a fine-tooth comb. Any radicalisation, any interactions that he has had in relation to that will all be much better known as the inquiry proceeds and as we get results from the investigation.’
The update comes as it was revealed the teen’s family have moved out of their south-west Sydney home to escape the public scrutiny.
‘I am aware that the family did seek to move elsewhere – they don’t want to be the centre of attention here and nor should they,’ NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told ABC Radio National on Wednesday.
‘They’ve made a decision to move for the time being.’
Commissioner Webb also revealed that some of those involved in a riot outside the Wakeley church following the alleged attack have been identified by police.
Officers are expected to make a number of arrests on Wednesday as police and community leaders called for calm.
‘When I was at the police station yesterday (Tuesday), they had some clear indications of whom some of those individuals were and they can expect a knock at the door,’ Commissioner Webb told the program
Police minister Yasmin Catley said it will be another few days before detectives will be able to interview the boy, who’s still recovering in hospital
The teen’s family have moved out of their south-west Sydney home amid fears for their safety. Police ar pictured at the home on Tuesday
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the alleged bishop attack is still a ‘combustible situation’, despite a peaceful vigil held at the church on Tuesday night.
Lakemba Mosque will have security 24-7 for at least a week after it received fire bomb threats on Monday night in the wake of the alleged bishop attack 18km away which sparked a riot.
The incident unfolded two days after five women and a security guard were stabbed to death during a terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction.
‘I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It is a combustible situation. There’s no point in pretending that everything is as normal. It’s not. It’s been a very difficult week in ‘s largest city,’ Mr Minns told Sunrise.
‘However, it’s important to note that all of the religious leaders and the civic leaders of NSW, whether they’re Muslim, Christian, Orthodox, Coptic, have issued a unanimous call to reject violence in all forms to show calmness and respect for NSW police.
Police and forensic officers examine the scene at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley where a bishop was allegedly attacked on Monday night, which sparked a riot
Analysts swabbed for fingerprints on vandalised cars nearby (pictured)
‘We don’t want to see, and I’m confident we won’t see, the scenes outside the church in the last 24 hours where people took the law into their own hands.
‘My message is very clear, if anyone is attempting to subvert the police operations or get in the way of this terrorism investigation, they’ll be met with the full force of the law.
‘There is no place for that in NSW or . NSW Police will come down hard on any of those activities.’
Mr Minns also revealed that of the five police officers injured during the Wakeley riot on Monday night, two returned to work the next afternoon.
‘That’s their kind of dedication to the taxpayers of this state. They live up to the best traditions of the NSW Police force,’ the premier added.
Police and community leaders have called for calm following Monday night’s incident. Pictured is minister Yasmin Catley with Police Commissioner Karen Webb