Attack occurred during Holy Communion at a church in Bukit Timah
On November 9, 2024, a 37-year-old Singaporean man attacked Reverend Christopher Lee during Holy Communion at a church in Bukit Timah. The assailant used a folding knife to stab the priest while approaching him during the service. Police arrested the attacker shortly after the incident, with the help of brave parishioners who disarmed him. The man was found with five weapons in his possession.
The priest, 57-year-old Reverend Lee, was attended to by paramedics and was conscious when transported to the National University Hospital. He is now reported to be in stable condition. The church assured its parishioners that services and events would continue as usual on November 10.
The police have stated that they found no evidence indicating the attack was motivated by religious reasons, and there are no signs of terrorism involvement. The assailant, with a criminal history, is expected to face charges of voluntarily causing grievous harm with a dangerous weapon. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or up to 15 years in jail, with possible caning and/or a fine.
The police also revealed that the man had previously declared himself as a Christian but emphasized that this attack was not connected to religious extremism. In recognition of their bravery, two individuals, Richard Tan Chai Boon and Damien Liew Khee Rui, were awarded the Public Spiritedness Award for disarming and detaining the assailant. The police have urged the public to avoid speculating about the motivations behind the attack as investigations continue.
