An alleged large-scale terrorist plot by a Melbourne teenager has been foiled by Victoria Police following a tip-off from the FBI.
Counter-terrorism police raided the 19-year-old’s home in Melbourne’s southeast and allegedly found 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 bomb a university, derail a train and poison the city of Melbourne’s water supply.
Police also allege they found 522 rounds of ammunition and homemade weapons in the home of the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
They allegedly discovered metal parts to make a pistol, a bayonet, a Taser, glassware and chemicals for chemistry, a switchblade knife and a slingshot.
In addition, the man had also allegedly purchased tactical combat tools, including a military tactical vest, shock collars, walkie-talkies, a gas mask, a firearm holster, and a tactical helmet with a camera mount.
A 19-year-old man appeared for a bail hearing at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Friday (pictured) over a series of alleged terrorist plots.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation alerted Victoria police about 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 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 make the firearm.
He also allegedly said he wanted “revenge” on his high school class and asked for advice on how to “get away with it.”
A note found by police said he would shoot “a random student and then himself” if he was banned from the school.
The court was also presented with an extract allegedly taken from the teenager’s diary.
‘Fear is not always a good strategy to keep a family together… Using fear as a way to control children is unnecessary… I think children who end up murdering their parents because of violence are not criminals, they are simply victims pushed to this point,” he allegedly said.
The 19-year-old was previously arrested and charged in April, but was released on bail with strict conditions including a curfew and attendance at mental health services.
The alleged plans included poisoning Melbourne’s water supply and bombing Monash University.
He was arrested again just a few months later, when police discovered the alleged handwritten plans at a routine firearms prohibition check.
He appeared at Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Friday for a further bail hearing, which will continue on Monday.
Police are reportedly strongly opposed to the man being released back into the community.
Neither the man’s identity nor the details of his plans can be revealed for legal reasons.