Incident Summary:

07/01/2012: Attackers threw grenades into a Roman Catholic church in Garissa city, North Eastern province, Kenya. This was one of two related attacks on churches in the area on this day. At least 18 people were killed and at least 66 others were injured across both attacks. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incident, stating that the attack was meant to punish people who did not practice the Islamic faith.

GTD ID:
201207010002

When:
2012-07-01

Country:
Kenya

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

North Eastern

City:
Garissa

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Religious Figures/Institutions
Name of Entity Catholic Central Cathedral
Specific Description Cathedral
Nationality of Target Kenya
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Grenade
Firearms Automatic Weapon
Weapon Details
High-powered assault rifles were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information Casualty numbers for this incident conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the majority estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Al-Shabaab Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Personal claim)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 9 Fatalities / 33 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 9
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 33
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Kenya church attacks claim 18th life," Agence France Presse -- English, July 11, 2012.
"Kenya church attacks claim 18th life," AFP (World Service), July 11, 2012.
"Scores arrested after church attacks in Kenya," CNN Wire, July 4, 2012.