Police were called to the scene on Greville Street, in the Chatswood district after at least two people were stabbed outside the complex. One of the hospitalised victims is in a stable condition. The emergency services were alerted to the situation in deny’s north just after 12.30pm (1.30am GMT) local time on Thursday after the brutal attack unfurled.
The victims, both men, whose ages are not yet known, were taken to nearby Royal North Shore Hospital.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and is assisting police with inquiries.
Police are investigating a motive for the crime.
A New South Wales (NSW) Police force statement said: “A man has died in hospital and another remains in a stable condition after they were allegedly stabbed by a teenager on Sydney’s Lower North Shore today.
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“Emergency services were called to a religious centre on Greville Street, near Fullers Road, Chatswood, just after 12.30pm (Thursday 3 January 2019), following reports of a stabbing.
“The two injured men, whose ages are not known, were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.
“One of the men is in a critical condition.
“Officers from North Shore Police Area Command attended and arrested a 16-year-old boy.
“He was taken to Chatswood Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.”
New South Wales Ambulance Acting Deputy Commissioner Tony Gately said one of the victims suffered a “traumatic injury”.
The attack occurred in the precincts of the ‘Church of Scientology’ headquarters.
The vast sprawling complex is described by the controversial religion as its “biggest spiritual centre outside the United States”.
The site – which borders the Lane Cove national park – was snapped-up for about $37million (£20million) by the secretive group.
Church of Scientology opened its Australasian headquarters – built on the bones of the former National Acoustics Laboratory – in September 2016.
More to follow…