Boy, aged 13, charged over alleged school attack
A teenage boy is facing serious charges after he allegedly planned “acts of violence” at a local school while possessing violent extremist material.
A 13-year-old boy has been charged with possessing violent extremist material in preparation for what police allege was a planned attack on a local school.
The boy was arrested after allegedly threatening people with a knife at a local business in Maryborough, in south-east Queensland, on May 28.
Counter Terrorism Investigation Group and Maryborough Child Protection Investigation Unit detectives later seized electronic devices after executing a search warrant at a Maryborough address two days later.
The boy was charged with one count each of preparation or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
Counter Terrorism Investigation Group Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh said the boy had been charged under legislation passed by the federal government following December’s Bondi massacre.
“I can confirm that the threat did involve acts of violence that were intended to occur at a local school,” Hindmarsh said in Brisbane.
He said the charges did not so far involve any ideological cause. Police were still reviewing several devices.
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The boy was also dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for one count each of attempting to enter premises with intent and with going armed so as to cause fear.
He faced a children’s court on Monday and has been remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance on Friday.
Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
-with AAP
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