NSW Ambulance paramedics were treating a man in his 20s with hand injuries and a man in his 60s with arm injuries at the scene.
Eleven ambulances attended the scene.
Wakeley stabbing scene.Credit: Walter Peeters
Emmanuel is the leader of an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox faith that took an outsized role in the Christian Lives Matter movement.
He preached fire and brimstone in services that were broadcast live and attracted hardline Christians for his anti-LGBTQ sermons and pandemic skepticism.
Federal MP for Fowler Dai Le, whose south-west Sydney electorate includes Christ The Good Shepherd Church, said her community was shocked by the stabbing, particularly as it came just two days after the Westfield Bondi Junction mass stabbings.
“This has surprised us,” he said.
He described Emmanuel as a “wonderful bishop at the head of the Assyrian community.”
“It's increased their following tremendously,” he said.
Fowler has one of the largest Assyrian communities in the country, including many members who fled war-torn Iraq for a safer life in Australia.
“We have one of the most multi-faith communities in the country,” he said. “I don't think we're divided on that.”
NSW Police said an operation was now underway. Officers attached to the Fairfield City Police Area Command are at the Welcome Street location.
The community is asked to avoid the area.
More to come.
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