Health ministry spokesman
Khaled Megahed told state television that the gunman was shot dead after
killing nine people and wounding others, including a police officer.
But the interior ministry
said in a statement that the assailant, a wanted jihadist implicated in attacks
on police, had been wounded and arrested.
The jihadist had been armed
with an assault rifle, 150 rounds of ammunition and a bomb he intended to set
off at the church, the ministry said.
The ministry said he killed
two people when he opened fire on a store before heading to the church where he
shot dead seven people including an officer.
Cellphone footage posted on
social media appeared to show the bearded gunman wearing a bulky ammunition
vest sprawled on a street, barely conscious, as people restrained his arms and
then handcuffed him.
Police later cordoned off
the crime scene as onlookers crowded around the church, while a forensics team
combed the area.
Congealing blood could be
seen at a guard post in front of the church.
The Islamic State group’s
affiliate in Egypt has killed dozens of Christians in church bombings and
shootings over the past year, and has threatened further attacks against the
minority.
Friday’s attack came ahead
of Christmas for the Copts, who celebrate it on January 7.
AFP
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