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Two dead in stabbing attack on homeless sheltering inside church

A stabbing attack inside a church has left two homeless people dead and several others fighting for life.

The Grace Baptist Church, in San Jose, California, was described a “chaotic” scene after emergency crews arrived on Sunday evening (local time).

Police said there were “multiple stabbing victims” in the attack, which brought the number of homicides across the state in 2020 to a disturbing 41.

Police outside church where two people were killed.
Emergency crews responded to the "chaotic" scene on Sunday evening. Source: KPIX 5

The perpetrator set on a group of homeless people, who had been brought into the church to escape the chilly weather, police said.

“For clarification, no church services were being conducted at the time of the stabbing. Unhoused individuals were brought into the church to get them out of the cold,” a police tweet read.

About an hour after the attack, there had yet to be any arrests made.

Residents in the area were warned to stay away as it was “an active scene”.

Intersection with police after stabbing inside a church.
Traffic was blocked from going anywhere near the church (left). Source: KPIX 5

Footage from the scene showed several emergency vehicles illuminating their surroundings in flashes of red and blue.

There were two scenes subject to investigation according to KPIX 5 - one inside the church and one outside.

It was unknown if there were any church staff on the scene at the time, or if any were injured.

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