Police fatally shoot armed 16-year-old after Bunnings carpark stabbing
A 16-year-old boy has been shot dead by police after he stabbed a man in the carpark of a Bunnings Warehouse on Saturday night.
WA Police were called to the hardware store in south Perth, which was closed at the time of the incident, after they received a call from the teen saying he was going to commit acts of violence.
A second emergency call was then made a short time later after the teenager stabbed a man in the carpark, in what appears to be a random attack.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch said when they arrived on the scene, they found a 16-year-old armed with a large kitchen knife.
Commissioner Blanch said the boy lunged at officers with the knife and was shot, and died a short time later in hospital.
The man who was stabbed, who is in his 30s, is recovering in hospital and is believed to be in a serious but stable condition.
The police commissioner and WA Premier Roger Cook held a press conference on Sunday morning and described the incident as "extremely confronting".
They said the boy was "running around a car park, armed with a knife" when police arrived.
"They [WA police] exited their vehicle and were confronted with a male alone with a large kitchen knife," Commissioner Blanch said.
"Two officers drew their tasers and one of the officers drew his firearm. They challenged the male to put down the knife, which he did not."
Mr Cook said there were indications the boy had been radicalised online, saying at the press conference, "I want to reassure the community at this stage it appears that he acted solely and alone."
"Members of the WA Muslim community, who were concerned by his behaviour, contacted police prior to the incident and I thank them for their help."
It was also said the boy's family was cooperating with police.
Commissioner Blanch said the incident was not being labelled as a terrorist attack at this stage.
"It certainly has the hallmarks of one [but] the reason why I would declare it as a terrorist act going forward — it's about timing," Commissioner Blanch said.
"That's something that we can work towards as we find out more information from the motivations behind this."
Image credits: ABC / Shutterstock