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Man who attacked priest identified, had previously stabbed ex-girlfriend

The man who stabbed a priest during mass at St. Joseph’s Church along Upper Bukit Timah Road on Saturday (9 Nov) has been identified as Basnayake Keith Spencer.

It was also discovered that he was convicted and jailed for stabbing his ex-girlfriend at a party under the influence of drugs in 2019.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam previously announced on the evening of the incident that the attacker was a  37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese man.

Basnayake had previously declared to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that he is a Christian, but police believe that there is currently no evidence that suggests this is a religiously motivated attack.

Victim is recovering at  hospital

Meanwhile, the church told parishioners during the morning mass on Sunday (10 Nov) that Reverend Christopher Lee’s surgery went well and that he was resting.

Image courtesy of Google Maps for illustrative purposes only.

Prior to the mass, at least three members of the church’s emergency task force were seen patrolling the premises and checking churchgoers’ bags.

On the same day, the church also shared on Facebook that Father Lee is in stable condition and remains warded for monitoring, but they do not encourage visitors so he could recover.

However, they assured parishioners that masses and other events at St. Joseph’s Church will continue as usual from 10 Nov onwards.

Police do not suspect terrorism

Basnayake stabbed Father Lee during the 5.30pm mass on 9 Nov, while parishioners were receiving Holy Communion.

The Archdiocesan Emergency Response team and members of the congregation subdued him.

In the wee hours of Sunday, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said five weapons, including a foldable knife used in the attack, were found on the suspect.

The SPF believes that Basnayake acted alone and that his motive is not terrorism.

They urge the public to remain calm and refrain from speculation as they continue investigations.

Basnayake will be charged in court on Monday (11 Nov), with voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in jail and a fine or caning.

Also read: Priest stabbed during mass at church along Upper Bukit Timah Road, S’porean attacker arrested

Priest stabbed during mass at church along Upper Bukit Timah Road, S’porean attacker arrested

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