Ramming of Brisbane synagogue gates 'not terrorism', police say
Updated . First published at
The ramming of synagogue gates in Brisbane last night is not being treated as terrorism, police say, despite labelling it a targeted attack.
A Toyota Hilux ute was allegedly driven into the gates of Brisbane Synagogue on Margaret Street, with the impact causing the gates to fall and almost hit the vice president of the congregation.
CCTV footage shows the ute pulling up on the street before briefly turning away from the gates.
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The 32-year-old Sunnybank man allegedly drove a Toyota Hilux ute at the gates of Brisbane Synagogue on Margaret Street in the city last night. Nine
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It then reverses at an angle, before straightening up and appears to ram into the gates, and drive off.
Police tracked the ute by air for over an hour, before the ute returned to the synagogue about 8.30pm.
Tyre spikes were deployed, bringing the pursuit to an end and allowing police to arrest 32-year-old Matthew De Campo outside the nearby Queensland Holocaust Museum.
De Campo's been hit with a number of charges, including serious vilification or hate crime, wilful damage and drug possession.
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Matthew De Campo represented himself in court, where he was refused bail. Nine
Queensland Police said while "definitely a targeted attack against the Jewish synagogue", the incident isn't being investigated as terrorism.
"This is a criminal investigation, we are considering the man's mental health and intoxication as being a contributing factor," Acting Superintendent Michael Hogan said.
Methamphetamines were allegedly found in De Campo's ute.
Police claimed De Campo made antisemitic remarks during an interview, and De Campo represented himself when appearing in court today.
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies said they were "deeply distressed by the event".
"To see [the synagogue's] gates viciously rammed is profoundly devastating," Libby Burke said.
De Campo was denied bail and will appear again in court next month.
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