Willetton knife attack: Teen’s radicalisation history as Rossmoyne Senior High School addresses parents

The 16-year-old teenager who stabbed a stranger in Perth before being shot dead by police was on a dark descent into radicalisation years before he carried out the terrifying attack.

As the country reels from another knife attack, police are continuing their investigation into why a teenager, two years into a national “de-radicalisation” program supposed to turn him away from extremism, decided to charge at police in the carpark of Bunnings in Willetton on Saturday night.

Police tasered him but when that failed, he was shot. He died in hospital a short time later. The stabbed man, aged in his 30s, was also taken to hospital. He is in a stable condition.

The Nightly has confirmed the identity of the Rossmoyne Senior High School boy but has chosen not to name him.

Social media posts show the teenager was a happy boy, pictured a decade ago playing with Meccano — a building toy similar to Lego. That same boy continued the hobby with his father for years.

In 2016, he cracked cheeky jokes about his homework to his mother, which she shared over social media.

But by 2022, his personality had taken a dark turn with his descent into Islamic radicalisation so serious police felt he needed to be part of a program that only a handful of WA teens are in.

The boy’s mother — who had previously been a cyber safety advocate — declined to comment when speaking with The Nightly at their family home.

The teenager went to the esteemed Rossmoyne school, in Perth’s southern suburbs, which has been celebrated for its academic achievements.

The Nightly understands parents at the school had tried to warn Education Minister Tony Buti about the behaviour of a group of boys amid fears they were trying to radicalise other students.

One parent even went as far as trying to warn the Australian Federal Police that the group was trying to “indoctrinate” their son.

“Correspondence was recently received regarding a student at a public secondary school. As appropriate, this correspondence was referred to the Department of Education,” a WA Government spokesman said.

Parents who spoke with The Nightly said the teenager was linked to a toilet block that was damaged at the school last year.

They also said a boy in a group at the school had threatened to hurt people at an upcoming graduation.

Principal Alan Brown sent an email to parents on Sunday afternoon offering support and advice.

“Young people may want to meet in groups or turn to social media for support and to express their feelings. Whilst this may be helpful, please be aware of potential misinformation or inappropriate comments,” he said.

“If you become aware of any such gatherings, it is important to make sure there are responsible adults present, and you may wish to accompany your child.”

Mr Blanch said the boy had been known to police since the age of 14 and that he had suffered from mental health issues.

“(The program is) for those that are exhibiting behaviours that might be religious or issues motivated,” Mr Blanch said.

“This 16-year-old Caucasian male was part of that program.

“I think this is a very challenged individual who was there on the night, and I think the family really do understand the situation that police were in.”

Mr Blanch confirmed police were liaising with the family.

“I think this is a very challenged individual who was there on the night and I think the family really do understand the situation that police were in,” he said.

“They are being very forthcoming with police.”