Australian police shot and killed a 16-year-old boy in Perth after he stabbed a man, leading authorities to suspect terrorism. The attacker, armed with a kitchen knife, showed signs of being radicalized online, according to state authorities. Concerns from the local Muslim community were raised before the attack, which occurred in the suburb of Willetton on Saturday night.
Although the incident bears "hallmarks" of terrorism, it has not been officially declared a terrorist act yet. Premier Roger Cook stated that the attacker appeared to have acted alone. The victim, stabbed in the back, was in stable condition in the hospital.
This incident follows terrorism-related charges laid by New South Wales police last month against several boys after the stabbing of an Assyrian Christian bishop during a live-streamed sermon in Sydney on April 15. Additionally, there was a deadly mass stabbing in Bondi, Sydney, claiming six lives just days before the attack on the bishop.
While gun and knife crimes are rare in Australia, the country consistently ranks among the safest globally, according to the federal government.
