A man wielding a sword attacked several churchgoers on Sunday (Feb 11) in the city of Yogyakarta, injuring a German priest and three others, including a police officer, as reported by Channel News Asia.
About 100 people were attending a mass at St. Lidwina Church in Sleman, Yogyakarta, when the man barged in and began attacking people and destroying church property.
A congregation member Andhi Cahyo said that a few minutes after the mass started, another member ran into the church with a bleeding head, while the man holding the sword was chasing him.
“Everybody started panicking and screaming, I was scrambling to save my wife and children,” Cahyo said.
People in the church were pursued by the assailant while they were running out through the door.
Police arrived on the scene shortly after and fired a warning shot into the air, however the assailant refused to surrender.
“After the warning shot was fired, the attacker charged towards the officer with his sword. The officer then shot him below his stomach, but he managed to injure the cop before being subdued,” Cahyo said.
The assailant, identified only as Suliyono, was shot in the stomach and is now being treated at a local hospital.
The victims suffered back, neck, and head injuries, and were taken to Panti Rapih hospital for treatment. They are currently in stable condition.
The police have not been able to determine a motive, and are not sure if the attack was an act of terror.
Photo courtesy of Channelnewsasia.com.