A 16-year-old boy in Perth, Australia, was shot dead by police after stabbing a man in a hardware store parking lot. The boy had been participating in a deradicalization program since he detonated a homemade explosive device in a school toilet block two years ago. The boy had expressed jihadist intentions in a text message before the attack. This incident was the third high-profile knife crime to occur in Australia recently, following attacks on Assyrian Orthodox clerics in Sydney. The boy had been receiving treatment for mental health issues and extremist inclinations since his involvement in the explosive incident.
The boy’s involvement in the federal Countering Violent Extremism program raised concerns about his behavior and thought processes. While the program was regarded as successful, it was acknowledged that it was not perfect. Social media videos of the explosion at the school toilet block have surfaced, showing boys running from the scene. The state education department confirmed that no one was injured in the incident, and police investigations did not result in charges against the boy involved. Despite the lack of charges, police maintained a visible presence around the school to reassure the community. A warning of potential violence from a hacked social media account caused anxiety, prompting authorities to urge individuals to report concerns to the police directly.
While no links were found between the Perth boy and an alleged network of teen extremists in Sydney, recent terror-related incidents in Australia have raised concerns about religiously motivated violence. The stabbings of a bishop and priest in a Sydney church led to charges against a 16-year-old for committing a terrorist act. Subsequent investigations resulted in charges against six more teenagers allegedly part of a network with extremist beliefs. In light of these incidents, some Muslim leaders have criticized the police’s handling of different acts of violence, questioning why some are labeled as terrorist acts while others are not. A recent mass stabbing at a Sydney shopping mall, where the perpetrator had a history of schizophrenia, has left authorities still determining a motive.
Police commended the quick response of officers in the Perth incident, crediting them with saving lives. Commissioner Blanch emphasized the potential danger posed by individuals with knives in populated areas, referencing the recent shopping mall rampage as an example. Despite ongoing concerns about extremist ideologies and acts of violence, authorities continue to urge community members to report any suspicious behavior or threats directly to the police. The incidents in Perth and Sydney have highlighted the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and community members to prevent further acts of violence and extremism in Australia.
