Harrowing Footage: Armed Attacker Rushes at Priest Mid-Service

A Catholic priest in Canada narrowly avoided harm on Sunday when a knife-wielding individual rushed toward him during an evening service in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“It’s a very rare incident and I think everybody involved is quite shaken up as a result,” stated Winnipeg police representative Constable Stephen Spencer, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

“Nobody expects that when they go to church on Sunday or any day of the week, that somebody’s going to be there with a weapon and try and attack somebody in the church,” he added.

Footage of the incident, which took place at 6 p.m. at Holy Ghost Parish, was shared on social media platform X.

The video captures the priest making his way to the altar midway through the service when a man in a yellow jacket approached. As they got closer, the man suddenly pulled out a knife, raising it in his right hand while reaching for the priest with his left.

WARNING: The following video contains footage of an attempted attack that some may find disturbing.

Reacting quickly, the priest moved away from the altar. The attacker did not pursue him but instead drove the knife into the altar before taking a seat behind it.

An off-duty Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, later identified as one of the congregants, calmly approached the man. The attacker did not resist as the officer handcuffed him.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Police Service representative Constable Dani McKinnon stated that authorities have not yet determined the suspect’s motive.

She confirmed that the priest and the attacker were not acquainted.

“This was extremely unexpected. We don’t often hear of acts of violence occurring within places of worship in Winnipeg,” McKinnon said.

“Police do not believe that the accused in this matter regularly attended the church or was part of the congregation, so it is more disturbing in that a motive hasn’t been established or may not until (the charges proceed to) court,” she explained.

“He seems driven in the video, he seems to know where he wants to go with the assault,” McKinnon continued, adding, “The pastor, he essentially stepped off the line of attack and saved himself.”

She described it as “a bit of a miracle” that the officer was present and that no injuries occurred.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 50-year-old Pawel Olownia of Winnipeg. He has been charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, and disturbing a meeting.

Olownia remains in custody. Reports indicate that he has a prior criminal history, including a conviction for assaulting a peace officer with a weapon in July 2018, for which he served an 11-month jail sentence. Additionally, in 2004, he was convicted of assault, theft under $5,000, and uttering threats, resulting in probation.