Birmingham church stabbing: Knifeman injures minister and congregation members in Sunday morning service attack

Police said incident appears to be ‘targeted attack’

47-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder (Google Maps)

A minister and two members of the congregation have been injured after a man wielding a knife burst into a church in Birmingham.

Minister Kevin Hutchinson said around 150 people were at the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church’s Sunday Service when a “man with a knife stormed into our sanctuary” just before 11am.

Mr Hutchinson told the Birmingham Mail that the man was apprehended by ushers at the door.

“He drew out a large kitchen knife and was restrained by a number of members, about three.

“Three members were injured and were taken to hospital.

“The men in the church were able to restrain him until the police and paramedics came.”

John Delahaye, 47, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, as well as two counts of wounding and possession of a bladed weapon.

In a statement on social media the church said: “Following the incident at New J this morning, we would like to give you the following update.

”Three members of our congregation were injured following a knife attack all of whom have been taken to hospital. The following individuals were injured - Elder Karl George, Adam Brooks and Jorge George. No injuries were life threatening.

“At this time we are restricting hospital visits to family only and we will keep you updated as regularly as possible.

”We would like to thank all of our members and friends that were with us this morning for your cooperation, bravery and support and thank everyone else for your prayers.“

Elder George is a senior leader at the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church, where he delivers sermons.

West Midlands Police said a 33-year-old man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his neck and was in a stable condition.

Two other people were treated for hand injuries and released from hospital.

Police said they believed the incident was not related to terrorism.

“Early indications suggest that the offender and victim knew each other and that this was a targeted attack,” West Midlands Police wrote on Twitter.