Police investigate counterterrorism claims that a 14-year-old boy stabbed a student in the neck on Tuesday morning on the University of Sydney campus.
About 8:35 a.m., paramedics were summoned in response to reports of a stabbing near Camperdown’s Parramatta Road. Upon arrival, they discovered a guy with a single stab wound.
After receiving emergency care, the 22-year-old was transported to the adjacent Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable state.
The reason or philosophy behind the attack has not been identified, according to NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton of the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command.
“That is an element of determining whether something is an act of terrorism,” he stated.
He claimed that the culprit was wearing a “Defence Force uniform” for camouflage and that the injured student had been stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife.
The boy has no known connections to the cadets or the military.
Following the stabbing, police set up a crime scene and discovered the adolescent had boarded a bus on Parramatta Road.
The 14-year-old, who is from Sydney’s inner west and lives close to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, was taken into custody by police a short while later.
After receiving care for hand cuts, he is “currently undergoing a mental health assessment”.
Police and other government organizations knew the youngster.
Authorities don’t think the man the adolescent is accused of stabbing and himself know one another.
Assistant Commissioner Walton stated, “I would say that this young person’s activity is likely to be categorised as mixed and unclear ideology.”
“It’s certainly not a religiously-related ideology.”
The Australian Federal Police, according to Acting Assistant Commissioner Craig Palmer, are “fully committed” to assisting with the inquiry.
“We’re in here to ensure that all the circumstances that led up to this incident are understood clearly, and that we’re committed to … protecting the community, making sure that no stone is left unturned.”
Parents are advised to exercise caution.
According to Assistant Commissioner Walton, parents should be mindful of the increasing risk of radicalization to which their children are exposed when using the internet, especially social media.
“I would, however, like to indicate that here in NSW, nationally and internationally, there are concerns about youth being radicalised in the online environment,” he stated.
“They are embracing violent extremist ideologies and moving towards violence.”
He urged parents to be aware and take action if they fear their child is consuming radicalised content.
“Reach out to authorities if they are worried about the consumption of extremist ideologies,” he said.
“There are multi-agency support programs to assist families to respond to youth and adults who have shown an interest in violent extremism.”
University reacts to the assault
In an email to students this morning, the university’s vice-chancellor, Mark Scott, expressed his shock and sadness over the occurrence.
“A NSW Police operation is currently underway on our campus and … as a precautionary measure, several buildings have been placed on secure mode,” he stated.
