Police reveal bombshell new information on radicalised Willetton student shot dead by police
WA Police have revealed for the first time that a radicalised teenager's attempt to stab a stranger before being fatally shot when he charged at officers with a knife has been officially declared an 'act of terrorism'.
The confirmation comes a year after Willetton boy, James, 16, was shot dead by police after he stabbed a stranger in a Bunnings carpark on May 4.
In his final message before the attack, James warned friends he was 'going on the path of jihad tonight for the sake of Allah'.
At the time, WA's top cop Col Blanch said even though the attack met the definition of a terrorist act, he refused to officially designate it as such because emergency powers given to police under those circumstances were not required.
Police on Friday confirmed independent legal advice had identified that the evidence met the threshold as provided within section 101 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
'Therefore, the incident has been determined as an act of terrorism,' a spokesperson said.
'The matter is now before the Coroner, and in respect of that process, no further comment will be made.'
It comes as authorities refuse to release the number of West Australians taking part in de-radicalisation programs and the State Government launches a new website to disengage people from violent extremism.
After the Willetton attack, the Government released figures that showed 141 people around the country were taking part in voluntary deradicalisation programs. Nine of those people, including James and four other juveniles, were based in WA.
This week, police said they did not comment on the number of participants 'for operational reasons'.
A State Government spokesperson said the WA Police Force-led countering violence extremism program supported 'a small number' of people, but would not provide figures.
'A new website has now been launched, which means for the first time, information about WA's CVE program is publicly available alongside a referral pathway for members of the public who are concerned about a family member or themselves being drawn towards violent extremist views,' the spokesperson said. The confirmation comes a year after Willetton boy, James, 16, was shot dead by police after he stabbed a stranger in a Bunnings carpark on May 4. Credit: Unknown / Supplied
The website describes signs that suggest someone may be heading down the path of violent extremism, including becoming withdrawn, viewing and sharing violent and extremist content or showing intense ideological, political or religious interest.
Anyone can report concerns to the intervention and support program, operated by WA Police.
The spokesperson said the new website provided important public awareness, education and access to help.
'Prevention and early intervention are key to supporting individuals to disengage from a path of violent extremism,' they said.
'The CVE program is constantly being reviewed by the force to provide the most effective support through peer or religious monitoring, mental health help, mentoring, and education and employment services. It also aims to reduce the individual's access to online material.'
The Education Department is also improving its processes for managing young people identified as being at risk of violent extremism.
'This includes leading the development of a multi-agency agreement specific to young people at risk of violent extremism, which will see strengthened information-sharing between all education sectors and WA Police,' the spokesperson said.
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