Turkish authorities have arrested both attackers who killed one person during a religious service in a Catholic church in Istanbul.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that the attack was carried out on the Catholic Church of St. Mary in Istanbul’s Sariyer neighborhood and that a Turkish citizen who was the target of the attackers was killed.
“Two suspects have been arrested for the murder of Turkish citizen Tuncer Cihan during a religious service in a church,” Yerlikaya wrote in a post on the “X” platform.
According to the information received, the shooting happened during the Sunday service when two masked men opened fire in the church yard.
“During the shooting, there was great panic in the church. Many police and medical teams were dispatched to the area. The attackers fled the scene on foot,” Cumhuriyet said.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also spoke about the attack.
“Around 11:40 a.m. in the area of the Church of Santa Maria, two people attacked the worshipers in the church. They were wearing phantoms. One person unfortunately died. A vigorous investigation has been launched into this issue. We strongly condemn this vile attack. The search for the attackers is ongoing.” , the minister concluded.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also took to social media about the attack.
“I condemn the armed attack during the Sunday service in the Church of Santa Maria. I wish God’s mercy to the person who lost his life and a speedy recovery to the injured. We will never allow them to destroy our unity and peace,” said the mayor of Istanbul.
