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Counter-terrorism police investigate, teenager arrested after attack on student at University of Sydney main campus

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Counter-terrorism police investigate, teenager arrested after attack on student at University of Sydney main campus

Counter-terrorism police are investigating an incident that occurred at the University of Sydney on Tuesday morning in which a 14-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a student in the neck.

Paramedics were called at about 8.35am after reports of a stabbing near Parramatta Road in Camperdown, where a man was found suffering from a single stab wound.

The 22-year-old was treated at the scene and taken to nearby Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Mark Walton of the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command said no motive or ideology had been established for the attack.

“This is part of assessing whether something is an act of terrorism,” he said.

University authorities say there will likely be a police presence on campus today.(ABC News: Timothy Ailwood)

He added that the injured student was stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife and that the suspect was dressed in a “defense forces” camouflage uniform.

The boy has no known ties to the military or cadets.

Following the stabbing, officers secured the scene and learned the teenager had boarded a bus on Parramatta Road.

A short time later, officers arrested the 14-year-old, who was from Sydney’s western suburbs, near the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

He was treated for cuts to his hand and is “currently undergoing a mental health evaluation.”

The investigation, led by New South Wales Police, is being assisted by the Australian Federal Police.(ABC News: Timothy Ailwood)

The boy was known to police and other government agencies.

Police do not believe the teenager and the man he allegedly stabbed knew each other.

“The activities of this young individual are unknown but I would say it probably qualifies as mixed and vague ideology,” Deputy Commissioner Walton said.

“It is certainly not an ideology related to religion.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Craig Palmer said the Australian Federal Police was “fully committed” to supporting the investigation.

“We are here to make sure that all the circumstances that led to this incident are clearly understood and that we are committed to… protecting the community by making sure that no stone is left unturned.”

Australian Federal Police Acting Commissioner Craig Palmer said the AFP would work with ASIO and joint counter-terrorism teams to assist with the investigation. (ABC News: Ethan Rix)

Parents should be vigilant

Assistant Commissioner Walton said parents needed to be aware of the increasing risk of radicalisation children face online, particularly on social media.

“I would however like to point out that here in New South Wales, both nationally and internationally, there are concerns about youth radicalisation in the online environment,” he said.

“They adopt violent extremist ideologies and move towards violence.”

New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Mark Walton has asked parents to be aware of the risks of radicalisation their children face online. (ABC News: Ethan Rix)

He appealed to parents to remain vigilant and take action if they are concerned that their child is consuming radical content.

“If you are concerned about the spread of extremist ideologies, please report them to the authorities,” he said.

“There are multi-agency support programs that help families respond to youth and adults who have shown an interest in violent extremism.”

University responds to attack

University President Mark Scott said in an email to students this morning that he was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.

“New South Wales Police are currently conducting an operation on our campus and… as a precaution, a number of buildings have been put into secure mode,” he said.

Emergency services were called to the University of Sydney following a report of a stabbing.

“The safety and well-being of our community is our number one priority.

“We will continue to work with police as the investigation continues and will provide our community with more details today.”

A university spokesman said this morning that increased security and police presence would be considered as a preventative measure.

Police said there was no threat to the community.

Federal Home Affairs and Cyber ​​Security Minister Clare O’Neil confirmed she had been made aware of the stabbing.

“I have received information about the stabbing incident in Sydney from the relevant agencies who are working closely with law enforcement,” she said.

“My thanks to our law enforcement, intelligence and security services for their important work.”

Live updates

Police conference ended

By Millie Roberts

New South Wales Police and AFP have this afternoon concluded their discussion into the stabbing of a USYD officer.

At this time, it has not been determined that the incident was an act of terrorism.

By Millie Roberts

Acting Deputy Commissioner Palmer reiterated that a determination of terrorism “has not yet been made”.

“Our joint counter-terrorism team is involved in the investigation and we are providing support.

“So if circumstances change, we remain prepared to support those efforts, but until that decision is made, we stand by our position.”

Deputy Commissioner Walton said earlier that they had no ideology establishedwhich is the “determining element” of whether something is an act of terrorism.

“There is no threat, actions have already been taken in response and they have been dealt with,” he said.

A ‘confident’ police officer could help with an investigation

By Millie Roberts

“I’m confident he’s in good enough condition to be able to help us,” Deputy Commissioner Walton said.

The 22-year-old was allegedly stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife.

Mixed ideology described as a “salad bar”

By Millie Roberts

Assistant Commissioner Walton of New South Wales Police described the “vague ideology” as “a kind of salad bar.”

“Many of these vulnerable people are not affiliated with any particular ideology.

“They will move around as they are exposed to different factors … but it is a very complex environment,” he said.

“This is not a linear position where we can respond to one particular ideology.”

Police have not yet commented on the past of the 14-year-old suspect.

AFP is now talking

By Millie Roberts

Acting Deputy Commissioner Craig Palmer said that Australian Federal Police “fully committed” to supporting the investigation.

“We are here to ensure that all the circumstances that led to this incident are clearly understood and that we are committed to … protecting the community by ensuring that no stone is left unturned.”

14-year-old wearing Defence Forces uniform ‘has no current links’

By Millie Roberts

The teenager was found “wearing camouflage” but Deputy Commissioner Walton said he “had no current association with the army or cadets.”

The hospitalized student is an Australian citizen

By Millie Roberts

“We’re very fortunate that his injuries are, you know, fairly, fairly minor, but someone who’s stabbed in the neck can very quickly end in tragedy,” Deputy Commissioner Walton said.

Police ‘failed to establish ideology’, says Deputy Commissioner Walton

By Millie Roberts

“As I mentioned earlier, we have not established an ideology as defined in the Commonwealth Crimes Act.

“That’s part of determining whether something is an act of terrorism.”

Teenager known to police and government agencies

By Millie Roberts

Deputy Commissioner Walton said the 14-year-old was “known to both police and government agencies”.

“The activities of this young man are not known, but I would say that it can probably be classified as a mixed and unclear ideology.”

“His it is certainly not an ideology related to religion“, he said.

Internet is ‘toxic’, says Deputy Commissioner Walton

By Millie Roberts

“However, I would like to acknowledge that there are concerns here in New South Wales, both nationally and internationally, about youth radicalisation in the online environment.

“They adopt violent extremist ideologies and move towards violence.”

He asked parents to be aware of the risks their children face.

The teenager suffered injuries to his hand

By Millie Roberts

Deputy Commissioner Walton said the 14-year-old boarded the bus and presented himself at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital shortly afterwards.

He was treated for cuts to his hand and is “currently undergoing a mental health evaluation.”

USYD student ‘stabbed in the neck’

By Millie Roberts

The first to speak was New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Mark Walton of the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command.

He said the 22-year-old student was stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife.

The suspect was dressed in camouflage in “Defense Forces uniform”.

He is 14 years a man living in Western Sydney.

“Importantly, at this point no motive or ideology has been established,” Deputy Commissioner Walton said.

What do we know so far?

By Millie Roberts

  • AND 14 year old boy was arrested today after a stabbing at Sydney University
  • Police say they were told that got on the bus after the incident
  • AND studentat the age of 22, he was hospitalized nearby
  • It remains in serious but stable state
  • USYD has increased its Security measures during surgery

Press conference starts soon

By Millie Roberts

Police to release latest details on alleged stabbing University of Sydney main campus this morning.

We can expect a response from:

  • This New South Wales Police Counter-terrorism and special tactics Command
  • This Australian Federal Police

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