A priest who was killed in a monastery attack that also left seven monks injured, was reportedly beaten to death with a historic artifact.
The attacker is said to have shouted ‘I am Jesus Christ’ as he ran into Santo Espiritu del Monte Monastery in Gilet, north-eastern Spain on Saturday morning.
The intruder, a 46-year-old Spaniard who has since been detained by police, went from room to room hitting the men with a staff from a historic statue, according to local media.
Witnesses said also used a stick and a bottle to carry out the terrifying attack.
He then escaped by jumping a perimeter fence and was at large for almost 24 hours, until police caught him this morning.
Three monks aged 57, 66 and 95 were treated in hospital for their injuries.
Four others are also said to have been assaulted, but it’s not clear if they were taken to hospital.
The man who died is thought to have suffered head injuries.
Gilet is a 35-minute drive north of Valencia, which is still recovering from catastrophic flooding that killed more than 200 less than two weeks ago.
Gilet’s mayor Salvador Costa told local press the intruder had entered the building shouting ‘I am Jesus Christ’ before beginning to physically attack the monks ‘with the intention of killing them’.
A provincial superior said in a statement confirming the death: ‘It was with deep surprise and pain that we received the news this morning that a disturbed person had entered the Friary of Santo Espiritu del Monte.’
Only two monks, who were working outside in an orchard, escaped being attacked.
As reported by the MailOnline, a spokesman for the Civil Guard in Valencia said on Saturday: ‘I can confirm a man has been killed following an attack on clergy at a monastery in Gilet this morning.’
Responding to queries about the number of people assaulted following conflicting reports it was four to seven, he added: ‘The information we have is that seven others were targeted.’
A source told the Mail: ‘Detectives believe the man who did this was suffering mental health issues.’
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