A 16-year-old male, who was described as ‘radicalised,’ was fatally shot by police after allegedly stabbing a man in a Bunnings car park in Willetton. The incident occurred just after 10 p.m. yesterday, and the police responded to calls made by the teenager himself and a member of the public who witnessed the attack.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that the young male, who was Caucasian, was armed with a large kitchen knife and did not comply with orders to put it down. Despite attempts to subdue him with tasers, the situation escalated, leading to the fatal shooting by an officer.
The attacker was known to police and had both mental health and radicalisation issues. He was enrolled in the Countering Violent Extremism program and received support from psychologists and faith leaders. WA Police Minister Paul Papalia acknowledged the challenges of de-radicalising individuals and the importance of such programs in addressing radicalisation.
Although the offender was radicalised online, the incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack at this stage. WA Premier Roger Cook commended the quick response of the police and highlighted the cooperation of the Muslim community in alerting authorities to the individual’s concerning behavior.
The victim of the stabbing is currently hospitalized in a serious but stable condition. Commissioner Blanch emphasized the need for further investigation into the motives behind the attack before determining if it meets the criteria for a terrorist act. Please rewrite this sentence.
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