Police shoot man during sword attack

JAKARTA: Indonesian police have shot a sword-wielding man who attacked a church congregation during Mass yesterday, injuring four including a priest.

Around 100 people were attending the mass in Sleman town, Yogyakarta when a man barged in wielding a 1m-long sword and began attacking people seemingly indiscriminately.

“Four people have been injured in the incident – quite seriously – but we still cannot determine the perpetrator’s motive,” Yogyakarta police spokesman Yulianto said.

A congregation member, Andhi Cahyo, said a few minutes after the mass started, a congregation member barged into the church with a bleeding head.

A young man holding a sharp weapon was chasing him.

“Everybody started panicking and screaming, I was scrambling to save my wife and children,” Cahyo said.

People fled through another door as the attacker ran amok inside the church.

He destroyed some books and a Virgin Mary statue with his sword, said Cahyo, and attacked 81-year-old German priest Edmund Prier, who was standing at the altar.

Prier, who has been living in Indonesia for decades, is now an Indonesian citizen.

Police arrived soon after the attack and fired a warning shot but the attacker refused to surrender.

“After the warning shot was fired, the attacker charged towards the officer with his sword,” Cahyo said.

“The officer then shot him below his stomach, but he managed to injure the cop before being subdued.”

All victims have been taken to Panti Rapih Hospital for treatment.

Police said the man is a university student in his early 20s but could not confirm if the incident is terrorism-related.

The man is currently being treated at Bhayangkara Hospital. – AFP