A 13-year-old boy in Queensland has been charged with planning an attack on a school after allegedly threatening individuals with a knife. The teenager was arrested last Thursday at a business on Saltwater Creek Road in Maryborough, approximately three hours north of Brisbane, around 9am.
Police allege the boy was armed with a large knife and wore items of clothing to disguise his appearance while making threats inside the establishment. Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh of Queensland Police stated that the threats were imminent and specifically targeted a local school, particularly its young students.
“We have evidence to satisfy our evidentiary standards that he had planned to undertake acts of violence at a school,” Hindmarsh said. The boy was not previously known to police.
Initial Charges and Further Investigation
He was initially charged under the Youth Justice Act with 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. Following a search warrant executed at a Maryborough home on Saturday, police seized an electronic device.
Hindmarsh alleged the boy had become radicalised online and was far advanced in plans to cause death or grievous bodily harm. Subsequently, he faced additional charges of preparation or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained via a carriage service.
Court Appearance and Public Safety
The boy appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to reappear before the Hervey Bay Children’s Court on Friday. Hindmarsh assured the public there is no ongoing threat, though investigations continue.
