An alleged mass-scale terror plot by a Melbourne teenager was foiled by Victoria Police after a tip-off from the FBI.
Counter-terrorism police raided the 19-year-old’s home in Melbourne’s southeast to allegedly find handwritten notes detailing the plot along with a large cache of weapons.
The plans allegedly involved mass shooting attacks on his former high school, a bus stop and police. He also allegedly planned to plant a bomb at a university, derail a train, and poison the city of Melbourne’s water supply.
Police also allege they found 522 ammunition rounds and homemade guns in the home of the teenager – who can’t be named for legal reasons.
They allegedly discovered metal parts to manufacture a gun, a bayonet, a taser, chemistry glassware and chemicals, a switchblade, and a slingshot.
Additionally, the man had also allegedly purchased tactical combat tools including a military tactical vest, shock collars, walkie-talkies, a gas mask, a shoulder holster for a firearm and a tactical helmet with a camera mount.
A 19-year-old man appeared for a bail hearing to Moorabbin Magistrates Court (pictured) on Friday over a series of alleged terror plans
The US Federal Bureau of Investigations alerted Victorian police to the teen after alleged online posts requesting assistance in constructing weapons at home
The FBI alerted Victoria Police investigators to a potential risk posed by the teenager following his alleged online requests for instructions on how to build a gun, according to the Age.
He allegedly shared images of the materials he would use to craft the firearm.
He also allegedly said he wanted to ‘take revenge’ on his high school class and asked for advice on how to ‘get away with it’.
One note found by police allegedly said he would shoot a ‘random student then himself’ if he was banned from school grounds.
The court also received an excerpt allegedly taken from the teenager’s diary.
‘Fear isn’t always a good strategy and keeping a family together … Using fear as a way to control children is unnecessary … I believe that children that end up murdering their parents because of violence are not criminals, they are merely victims pushed to this point,’ it allegedly read.
The 19-year-old was previously arrested and charged in April, but was released on bail with strict conditions including a curfew and attendance to mental health services.
Alleged plans included poisoning Melbourne’s water supply and bombing a university
He was detained again just months later, when police discovered the alleged handwritten plans in a routine firearm prohibition check.
He appeared in Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Friday for a further bail hearing, which will be continued on Monday.
Police are reportedly highly opposed to releasing the man into the community again.
Neither the man’s identity nor the specifics of his plans can be revealed for legal reasons.
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