Armed attack on Santa Maria church in Sarıyer

Two assailants opened fire at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer during Sunday mass, leading to one casualty. This incident caused significant panic among churchgoers and prompted a swift response from police and medical teams. The attackers fled the scene on foot.

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya's statement on social media, the attack happened at around 11:40 a.m. during mass at Santa Maria Church in Büyükdere neighborhood. The victim, identified as C.T., was fatally shot by two masked individuals.

Governor Davut Gül, who visited the church, said to the press, "As the Interior Ministry's statement outlines the incident, there's nothing more to add. We spoke with the church's head priest and extended our sympathies. The incident is very recent, and everyone is performing their duties. Two masked individuals entered the church and opened fire on one person, who unfortunately died."

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç condemned the attack on Twitter, stating, "I vehemently condemn the armed attack carried out by two masked individuals during mass at Istanbul's Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation, assigning a Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor and two Public Prosecutors to the case. Efforts to identify and apprehend the assailants are ongoing, and the investigation is being conducted thoroughly."

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also condemned the attack on social media, offering condolences to the victim and wishing recovery to the injured. He affirmed that such attacks on the city's places of worship, aimed at disrupting unity and peace, would not be tolerated.

Security camera footage has captured the masked suspects accused of carrying out the armed attack on the church.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the attack, which occurred during mass at the Santa Maria Church, resulting in one death. A Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor and two Public Prosecutors have been appointed to lead the investigation.

Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç also made a statement regarding the attack, expressing deep sorrow and condemnation. He offered condolences to the family of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, asserting that such heinous attacks against unity will not achieve their intended goals.