Teen charged with violent extremist offences allegedly planned to threaten school

Queensland Police have charged a 13-year-old boy with violent extremist offenses, stating he posed an "imminent threat" to a local school. Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh reported that the boy, from Queensland's Fraser Coast, was "quite well advanced" in his planning.

The teenager was taken into custody on May 28 following police being called to a business on Saltwater Creek Road in Maryborough, responding to reports of a person armed with a knife. He was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for charges including attempting to enter premises with intent, going armed to cause fear, and making threats.

Further investigations led detectives from the Counter Terrorism Investigation Group to search a Maryborough home on Saturday, where an electronic device was seized. The boy subsequently faced additional charges, including preparation or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing violent extremist material obtained via a carriage service.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Hervey Bay Children's Court on Friday. Police have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public, and investigations continue.

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quite well advanced