A ‘radicalised’ 16-year-old boy was shot dead by officers after stabbing a man in the back in a shopping centre car park.
More than 30 police vehicles rushed to Bunnings car park on High Street in Willetton, south Perth, about 10pm on Saturday following reports of a stabbing.
There officers found a 16-year-old brandishing a large kitchen knife and a man with serious back injuries.
The teenager was fatally shot by police after he ‘rushed the attending officers’.
‘There are indications [the teenager] had been radicalised online,’ Western Australia Premier Roger Cook told reporters in a press conference on Sunday morning.
‘Members of the WA Muslim community who were concerned by his behaviour contacted police prior to the incident and I thank them for their help.
‘Our police responded within minutes, they encountered a very confronting situation but their rapid and professional response kept our community safe.’
A 16-year-old boy was shot dead by police in Perth on Saturday after stabbing a man in the back (pictured, emergency services at the scene)
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch clarified several concerned community members called triple-0 after the teenager indicated he was going to hurt people.
The teenager also phoned police and told operators he was planning a violent attack but did not reveal who or where he was.
Officers arrived at the Bunnings car park three minutes after the first triple-0 call.
The injured man, aged in his 30s and a stranger to the teenager, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
It’s understood he was attacked he left a nearby 24-hour gym.
Two officers armed with Tasers and a third armed with a firearm ordered the teenager to drop the kitchen knife.
The 16-year-old lunged at two of the officers, who both deployed their Tasers.
However, the teenager was wearing baggy clothing and was not deterred.
He was shot as he attempted to lunge at the third officer.
Commissioner Blanch said the teenager had been taking part in a rehabilitation program for people who had been radicalised online since he was 14 years old.
‘We believe he was very much acting alone. We do not believe there was a network involved,’ he said.
Commissioner Blanch would not declare the stabbing as terrorism.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement about the incident on Sunday morning.
‘My thoughts are with those who have been affected by the incident in the Perth suburb of Willetton overnight,’ he said.
‘I have spoken with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, and I thank the WA Police for acting swiftly to contain the incident.’
More than 30 police vehicles rushed to Bunnings car park (pictured) on High Street in Willetton, south Perth , about 10pm on Saturday following reports of a stabbing
More to come.
