A 13-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting similar to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack. The boy reportedly sent threatening messages to classmates at a state-run high school in Sydney's inner west, referencing the actions of Australian-born terrorist Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people in the attack.
Students reported the threats to teachers, who then contacted police. Officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command attended the school on September 14 and searched the boy's bag and phone. A subsequent search warrant was executed at his home, where property was seized.
The teenager has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend, and stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before a children's court in October.
A NSW Police spokesperson said the threats were taken seriously due to background information. School sources confirmed that a note was sent to parents alerting them to the incident and the actions taken. The NSW Education Department stated that student safety is a top priority and that wellbeing supports are available for any student who needs them.
