NSW Police addresses rumours alleged church stabber’s finger severed

Police have addressed reports that the 16-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a prominent bishop and priest had his finger cut off after the attack.

NSW Police has addressed rumours that the 16-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and a priest during a service at a church in Sydney’s southwest on Monday night had his finger cut off after the attack.

About 2000 people swarmed the area near the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, rioting and attacking police.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed that the alleged offender had been in surgery on Tuesday morning but said it was “really too early to say” what had happened to his finger.

“There’s various stories about the fingers,” Ms Webb said when she addressed the media on Tuesday morning.

Police were confronted by an angry crowd. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer.

“That’s not clear yet whether it’s self-inflicted or through the melee that occurred or some other way, and I understand that it’s possibly a flick knife, but that is to be confirmed as well.”

When asked by a reporter if she knew whether the crowd in their anger had cut off the teenager’s finger or whether his own knife had caused the rumoured injury, Ms Webb said the answer would be determined “through statements from witnesses and victims” but agreed that it was an important point.

Rumours had quickly swirled online about the teenagers hand amid speculation potentially up to four of his fingers had been severed.

Earlier reports claimed at least one of the teenager’s fingers was severed by parishioners after they pulled him off Bishop Emmanuel at the church about 7pm on Monday evening.

However, NCA NewsWire understands that not to be the case.

High level souces have confirmed the 16-year-old was responsible for the injury to just one of his fingers, which occurred during the attack.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed the alleged offender had been in surgery on Tuesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Ms Webb said it was also “too early to say” whether the teenager’s finger was injured before or after police arrived on the scene but more details about the reported injury would be released to the public when they became available.

“We will provide more information when it’s available,” she said.