Key Takeaways:
- A man was charged with intent to do harm and making or possessing explosives after a homemade "fragment bomb" was thrown into a crowd at a Perth Invasion Day rally.
- The device was concealed in a child’s sock with a Disney character on it and was designed to explode on impact, potentially injuring or killing many people.
- The suspect, a 31-year-old man from Perth’s northern suburbs, was arrested at the scene and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
- Police believe the man acted alone and have uncovered an array of chemicals at his home.
- The incident caused a major security threat, leading to the evacuation of a 2,500-strong crowd.
Introduction to the Incident
The Invasion Day rally in Perth’s CBD took a dramatic turn when a man threw an object onto the crowd gathered in Forrest Place. The incident was captured on security cameras at the Forrest Chase shopping centre, which faces onto the pedestrianised plaza. The vision shows the man, dressed in black and wearing a black face mask, hurling the object off the centre’s balcony into the crowd below. He then turns and runs through the crowd towards the camera.
The Aftermath of the Incident
The object landed amongst the crowd directly in front of the stage, causing a commotion and uncertainty among the attendees. A body-worn camera from an officer on the ground shows an amplified voice attempting to clear the crowd, stating that the area needs to be cleared and that the safety of the attendees is paramount. The police cordon surrounding the stage can be seen corralling the crowd away from the area. The vision then cuts to a man in a black butterfly print t-shirt being handcuffed by police wearing latex gloves, his face pixelated, as onlookers video his arrest using mobile phones.
The Device and the Suspect
The device thrown into the crowd was a homemade "fragment bomb" comprising ball bearings, nails, and chemicals, which had the potential to explode and injure or kill many people. A witness who picked up the object described it as being concealed in a child’s sock with a Disney character on it. The suspect, a 31-year-old man from Warwick in Perth’s northern suburbs, has been charged with intent to do harm and making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. He was arrested at the scene after being identified by members of the public and has been remanded in custody until his next scheduled appearance on February 17.
Investigation and Charges
The police investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and the national Joint Counter Terrorism Team assisting the inquiry. Commissioner Col Blanch stated that further charges could be laid depending on what forensic officers discover from their search of the suspect’s home and electronic devices. The suspect’s identity was suppressed by the court after his defence lawyer argued that his safety would be at risk if he were identified. The lawyer stated that the alleged offending could be seen as targeting a class of people, and that the suspect’s safety within a custodial environment would be at significant jeopardy if he were identified.
Court Appearance and Next Steps
The suspect appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon for a brief hearing, where he was remanded in custody until his next scheduled appearance. He appeared to salute the magistrate as he entered the courtroom before sitting down. The court suppressed his identity, and the case will continue on February 17. In the meantime, the police will continue to investigate the incident and gather evidence to determine the suspect’s motives and whether he acted alone. The incident has raised concerns about public safety and the potential for violent attacks at public gatherings, and the authorities will be reviewing their security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.