Perth, Australia – Australian police mentioned that a 16-year-old boy who got shot by police for stabbing a man was part of a deradicalization program since he detonated a homemade explosive device at a school a couple of years ago, authorities revealed on Tuesday.
According to Police Commissioner Col Blanch, the teenage boy was shot by police after wounding a man with a kitchen knife at a hardware store parking lot. Prior to the incident, the boy had sent a text message to associates indicating his intentions to engage in jihad for the sake of Allah.
The boy’s actions were the latest in a series of high-profile knife crimes that have shaken Australia within the past few weeks, following attacks on clerics in Sydney and a fatal rampage in a shopping mall where multiple individuals were harmed.
It was disclosed that the boy had been participating voluntarily in the Countering Violent Extremism program since 2022, after causing an explosion at his high school. Authorities noted that the boy had been receiving treatment for mental health issues along with extremist beliefs.
Blanch highlighted the importance of the CVE program, acknowledging its success while also recognizing its imperfections. Despite the boy’s involvement in the program, no charges were filed against him in relation to the school explosion.
In response to concerns raised by a hacked social media account regarding potential future violence, police have stepped up their presence around the school to reassure the community. However, investigations have not uncovered any connections between the Perth boy and a network of teenage extremists in Sydney.
The recent incidents have underscored the complex challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing radicalization and preventing violent acts. Police have emphasized the need for vigilance and cooperation from the public in order to combat extremism effectively.