NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed that the teenager arrested after the Wakeley stabbing had a finger cut off during the attack.
2GB’s Chris O’Keefe asked the premier if he could clarify “whether or not this teenager cut his own fingers off accidentally,or if it was done to him”.
Minns replied:“The information we have is that it happened in the commission of the crime,not to him.”
Minns also confirmed reports that the teen was found with a knife at school in 2020.
The premier said he couldn’t confirm what the stabber said as he approached Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel,but confirmed that it was “religiously motivated language”,which contributed to the stabbing being deemed a terrorism incident.
Minns continued that the terrorism designation was “not a performative gesture”.
“We’re not trying to judge one crime over another with this particular designation. The reason it’s required is particular changes to the legislation to enhance police powers.”
Minns took the opportunity to heap praise on the four police officers who were injured during the heated stand-off outside the Christ The Good Shepherd Church on Monday evening.
“[They are] incredible,incredible police officers. Two of them told me that they’ll back on shift this afternoon,” Minns said.
“Offering that kind of dedication in the face of terrible violence was truly remarkable. No one should have to put up with that in their workplaces.”