An alleged massive 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 and reportedly found handwritten notes detailing the plot, along with a large cache of weapons.
The plans reportedly included mass shootings at his former high school, a bus stop and the 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 claim they found 522 rounds of ammunition and homemade weapons in the home of the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
They are said to have discovered metal parts to manufacture a pistol, a bayonet, a taser, chemical glassware and chemicals, a switchblade and a slingshot.
In addition, the man is also said to have purchased tactical combat instruments, 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 at Moorabbin Magistrates Court (pictured) on Friday over a series of alleged terror plots
The US Federal Bureau of Investigations alerted Victorian police to the teenager after alleged online posts asking for help building weapons at home
The FBI alerted Victoria Police investigators to a potential risk posed by the teen following his alleged online requests for instructions on how to build a gun. the era.
He allegedly shared images of the materials he would use to manufacture the firearm.
He also allegedly said he wanted to “get revenge” on his high school class and asked for advice on how to “get away with it.”
A note found by police allegedly stated that he would shoot a “random student and then himself” if banned from school grounds.
The court also received an extract from the teenager’s diary.
‘Fear is not always a good strategy and keeping a family together… Using fear as a way to control children is unnecessary… I believe that children who end up killing their parents because of violence are not criminals, but only victims have been pushed to this point,” it said.
The 19-year-old was arrested and charged earlier in April but was released on bail with strict conditions including a curfew and access to mental health care.
Alleged plans included poisoning Melbourne’s water supply and bombing a university
He was arrested again just months later, when police discovered the alleged handwritten plans during a routine firearms ban check.
He appeared in the Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Friday for a further bail hearing, which will continue on Monday.
Police are reportedly strongly opposed to releasing the man back into the community.
Neither the man’s identity nor the details of his plans can be revealed for legal reasons.
