Authorities in Western Australia have reported a disturbing incident where a teenage boy, described as a 16-year-old Caucasian, was shot dead by police after allegedly stabbing and injuring a man in a suburb of Perth. Premier Roger Cook labeled the attack as having the “hallmarks” of terrorism.
According to WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch, the sequence of events began when local police received a call from a male indicating his intent to commit acts of violence. Moments later, another call reported a man wielding a knife in the area. Responding officers encountered the teen, who brandished a large kitchen knife and refused commands to drop it. Despite attempts to subdue him with tasers, the situation escalated, leading to an officer firing a fatal shot.
Investigations revealed that prior to the police confrontation, the teenager had already stabbed and injured a middle-aged man, who is currently hospitalized in serious but stable condition with a back wound.
Blanch noted that the teen had been on the radar of law enforcement due to his involvement in a program addressing online radicalization over the past few years. The program aimed to address concerning behaviors related to violent extremism.
The swift identification of the individual was credited to multiple calls from members of the Muslim community in Western Australia, expressing concerns about the teenager’s actions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident, reaffirming Australia’s stance as a peace-loving nation that rejects violent extremism.
This incident follows a recent stabbing at a church in Sydney, which authorities also described as a terrorist act and resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect.
