MARYBOROUGH — Queensland counter-terrorism police charged a 13-year-old with planning an attack on a regional school north of Brisbane. The teenager was arrested last Thursday after allegedly making threats at a business in Maryborough while armed with a knife.
Police carried out a raid at the teenager’s home and seized electronic devices. Authorities allege they discovered evidence of a planned attack on those devices. Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh said the boy was “quite well advanced” in plans to cause death and grievous bodily harm and posed an “imminent threat.”
“There was a threat to the school, and particularly our young people at that school,” Hindmarsh said. “The actions of the youth on that day did involve a threat to a local school.” The boy has been charged with preparation or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage of service.
He also faces additional charges 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 offense. Police allege those offences occurred at a business on Saltwater Creek Road at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, when the boy was armed with a large knife. The boy was refused bail at Maryborough Children’s Court on Monday.
Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the community. Hindmarsh added that support would be provided for both the school community and the young alleged offender.