A 17-year-old Canberra boy is behind bars, after shocking allegations he had developed detailed plans for public attacks, and had the necessary equipment to create a bomb in his bedroom.
The boy was arrested yesterday, as police swooped on his home, seizing his computer and phone.
Today he was charged with possessing violent extremist material obtained over the internet and possession of an imitation gun.
But prosecutor Christopher Moore told the ACT Children’s Court, based on details in the court documents, more charges were likely to follow.
Boy allegedly planning to attack ‘commie meeting or march’
The court heard the videos included offensive depictions of shootings, along with a game style video of the Christchurch shootings, images of Nazi flags, and Klu Klux Klan members.
Mr Moore said the boy was alleged to have made deeply concerning comments to police.
“You should fight for your race,” Mr Moore said the boy told police.
“He stated he did not like non-Celtic or non-Germanic people. [That] they should go back to where they came from.”
Mr Moore said it appeared from discussions with others online that the boy was making concrete plans for violence in the community.
“I give myself a deadline of five years,” the boy said in one conversation.
“I plan to get some commies.”
He is also alleged to have said “I am planning to [attack] a commie meeting or march”.
Teen allegedly found ‘purpose’ in planning attacks
The boy is alleged to have said in an exchange with another person online that the plans had helped him.
“I used to be depressed, but now I have purpose,” he said.
The police statement of facts alleges in that exchange the boy said he thought the attack would last only a few minutes.
“What do you plan to do?” the other party asked.
“Either get killed by cops, live out in nature, or go to prison,” the boy replied.
The boy also talked of 3D printing guns.
And chillingly he allegedly told a correspondent online: “I found a place where a black homeless person lives”.
“I am making a jar of chlorine gas to throw at him when he is asleep,” the boy allegedly said.
He is then alleged to have said the man probably would not die, just get chemical burns.
At best ‘a wannabe terrorist’
Defence lawyer Himangi Ticku told the court that based on the allegations, her client was “at best a wannabe terrorist”.
She asked he be freed on bail to continue at school, while under the close supervision of his parents.
Ms Ticku said the phone and computer used by the boy had now been confiscated, and there was little danger to the community.
She pointed out the imitation gun was not operable.
But the court did not agree with her.
Boy poses extreme risk to community: Judge
“This young person poses an extreme risk to our community,” Special Magistrate Lucinda Wilson said.
Magistrate Wilson said she was not persuaded any conditions would be enough to protect the community, and there were risks associated with him returning to school.
“The court has no confidence the young person would not access the internet at school,” she said.
She said his statements to police did not suggest he had had any change of heart about the allegations he was planning attacks.
Magistrate Wilson said it appeared he had tested how to use the chlorine gas, and his parents appeared to have no knowledge of his views, which she said appeared to be entrenched.
The boy has been remanded in custody and will return to court in January.