Willetton stabbing: ‘Radicalised’ teenager is shot dead by police after knife rampage
A ‘radicalised’ 16-year-old boy was shot dead by officers after stabbing a man in the back in a shopping center car park.
More than 30 police vehicles rushed to the Bunnings car park on High Street in Willetton, south Perth, around 10pm on Saturday after 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 ‘attacked the officers present’.
‘There are indications [the teenager] had been radicalized online,” Western Australia Prime Minister Roger Cook told reporters at a press conference on Sunday morning.
“Members of the WA Muslim community who were concerned about his behavior contacted police prior to the incident and I thank them for their assistance.
“Our police responded within minutes. They found themselves in a very confrontational situation, but their quick 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 (photo, emergency services on scene)
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch clarified several concerned community members who called triple-0 after the teenager indicated he would hurt people.
The teen also called police and told operators he was planning a violent attack, but did not reveal who or where he was.
Officers arrived at Bunnings car park three minutes after the first triple-0 call.
The injured man, in his 30s and a stranger to the teenager, was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.
It is understood he was attacked and left a nearby 24-hour gym.
Two officers armed with Tasers and a third armed with a firearm ordered the teen to drop the kitchen knife.
The 16-year-old lunged at two of the officers, who both deployed their Tasers.
However, the teenager wore baggy clothing and was not deterred.
He was shot when he tried to lunge at the third officer.
Commissioner Blanch said the teenager had taken part in a rehabilitation program for people who had been radicalized online since he was 14.
‘We believe he acted largely alone. We do not believe there was any network involved,” he said.
Commissioner Blanch would not label the stabbing as terrorism.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement on the incident on Sunday morning.
“My thoughts are with those affected by the incident in the Perth suburb of Willetton,” he said.
“I spoke to WA Premier Roger Cook this morning and I thank WA Police for their quick action to bring the incident under control.”
More than 30 police vehicles rushed to the Bunnings car park (pictured) on High Street in Willetton, South Perth, around 10pm on Saturday after reports of a stabbing
More to come.