Queensland teenager charged after allegedly planning an attack at school
A teenage boy has been charged by counterterrorism police after allegedly planning to attack a Queensland school and possessing extremist material.
Police raided a home in Maryborough on Queensland’s Fraser Coast on Saturday, where an electronic device was allegedly found.
Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh said material recovered suggested the boy was allegedly planning to kill or injure people. Queensland Police
An initial investigation of the device allegedly found extremist material that suggested the boy, 13, was planning to carry out an attack on a school with the intent to kill or injure people.
“He did intend to cause harm at a local school,” Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh said.
“We have evidence that there was planning of death and GBH (grievous bodily harm).”
The investigation by the police began after the boy allegedly threatened people last week.
The boy allegedly went to a business on Saltwater Creek Road in Maryborough on May 28 while holding a knife.
Police allege he threatened people inside the business.
He was arrested by police at the scene and dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act for one count of attempting to enter premises with intent, going armed so as to cause fear, making threats, and possessing a thing intended for use in connection with an offence.
“The actions of the youth that day did involve threats to a local school,” he said.
“There were threats were made to employees of the business, and we now have evidence that details the threat to the local school.”
Hindmarsh alleged the boy was wearing clothing to disguise his appearance and said there was evidence to believe his actions at the business were not the final act of his plan that day.
There are no allegations that he was motivated by terrorism and police refused to elaborate on what his alleged motivations may have been.
Police did not share whether the boy may have been motivated by content he had seen online or on social media.
Police insist there is no threat to the community and that the family is being offered support.
The boy remains in custody and will appear at Hervey Bay Children’s Court on Friday.
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