The shooting occurred around 11.40am local time in St. Mary’s Church in Istanbul’s Sariyer neighborhood. The attack was carried out by two masked men, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media. “We strongly condemn this cowardly attack,” Yerlikaya said.
Turkish officials said the attack appeared to be aimed at a single person, not a church. According to the minister, the target of the attack was a person present at the religious function, identified as CT. Around 40 people attended the function.
The shooters fled the scene and an investigation was launched to find them. Security camera video showed two men wearing black masks, one of whom was also wearing black sunglasses.
A spokesman for Turkey’s ruling AKP party, Omer Celik, confirmed that a citizen had been targeted. “Our security forces are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter,” he said. The motive for the attack is being determined.
Pope Francis also expressed support for the Church following the attack. “I express my closeness to the community of the Church of Saint Mary in Istanbul”, said the Pope at the end of the weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
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2024-01-28 13:37:59
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