Twelve men captured on video outside a western Sydney church are among 50 people police are seeking following a riot which injured dozens of officers.
Assyrian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel were stabbed during a live-streamed sermon at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley last Monday night.
A 16-year-old boy has since been charged with a terrorism offence over the stabbings.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, a large crowd converged on the church as people tried to hold down the attacker.
Dozens of police were injured, their cars vandalised and some officers and paramedics were forced to shelter inside the place of worship.
Strike Force investigators have released images of twelve men they believe can assist with the ongoing investigation into the public order incident at Wakeley last week. (Source: NSW Police)
Three men have been charged and police were zeroing in on as many as 50 people involved in the violence.
On Monday, the force released images of 12 men wanted for questioning over the violent melee.
One man — of Caucasian appearance and wearing black jeans cut off at the ankle and a black shirt wrapped around his face — bore a distinctive tattoo of Jesus Christ on his stomach and a tattoo sleeve on his left arm.
Strike Force investigators have released images of twelve men they believe can assist with the ongoing investigation into the public order incident at Wakeley last week. (Source: NSW Police)
Another was described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with receding dark brown hair and a beard.
He was shown wearing a black jumper, grey pants, black shoes and carrying a grey shoulder bag.
Superintendent Andrew Evans said the 12 men in the images were wanted "due to the violent and aggressive nature of their actions".
"We are doing everything we can to identify these men and are now appealing for public assistance," he said.
Strike Force investigators have released images of twelve men they believe can assist with the ongoing investigation into the public order incident at Wakeley last week. (Source: NSW Police)
"Someone in the community knows who they are."
Faith leaders are calling for calm while police hoped high-visibility patrols in the region quelled simmering community tensions.
Dozens of officers have been assigned to investigate the riot, during which some of the crowd tried to gain access to the alleged attacker while he was being held inside the church.
Strike Force investigators have released images of twelve men they believe can assist with the ongoing investigation into the public order incident at Wakeley last week. (Source: NSW Police)
Investigators were collating evidence including mobile phone and CCTV vision to identify those involved.
Dani Mansour, from Doonside, was the first person charged over the public-disorder incident.
The 19-year-old said he made a mistake but he was "pissed off" at officers.
Mansour allegedly filmed himself kicking two police cars during the riot before uploading the footage to Instagram.
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