Church stabbing: Priest stable after surgery to close wounds, 2 men commended for disarming assailant
Reverend Christopher Lee, 57, is in stable condition after being stabbed during mass at St Joseph's Church in Upper Bukit Timah on Nov 9 evening,
The priest is recovering in the hospital after surgery to close his wounds went well, said the church in a Facebook post the next day at 10.24am.
Father Lee remains warded for doctors to monitor his condition.
The police said it received a call for assistance at the church on Nov 9 at about 6.30pm.
The man who had stabbed Father Lee was disarmed by members of the congregation and subsequently arrested by police officers.
The suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese Basnayake Keith Spencer, whose religion was previously declared as Christian.
Based on preliminary investigations, he is believed to have acted alone and the police do not suspect that this is an act of terrorism for now.
Basnayake had previously been seen at the church but was not a regular, parishioners told The Straits Times.
In 2019, he was convicted and jailed for causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, having pleaded guilty to stabbing his former girlfriend at a party while he was on drugs.
Basnayake will be charged in court on Nov 11 with the offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon, which carries a punishment of life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a term which may extend to 15 years. The offender shall also be liable to caning and/or a fine.
Police will also be seeking a court order to remand the suspect at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a Facebook post he was "very shocked and saddened" to hear about the church stabbing.
"Violence has no place in Singapore," added PM Wong.
"Most of all, we must uphold the safety and sanctity of our places of worship - places where people seek peace, solace, and community. In this case, it was fortunate that several members of the congregation helped to disarm the assailant before he could do more harm."
During a press conference in the early hours of Nov 10, Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon and Mr Damien Liew Khee Rui were presented with the Public Spiritedness Award for their bravery in disarming and detaining Basnayake before the police arrived.
Jurong Police Division deputy commander Bertran Chia said: "Singapore remains safe and the SPF (Singapore Police Force) is committed to keep it that way with the help of a vigilant and united community, as seen in this case."
