Willetton stabbing: Survivor of ‘radical’ teenager’s stabbing rampage breaks silence

Shannon Hampton
The Nightly
Victim of the Willetton stabbing attack, pictured at Royal Perth Hospital.
Victim of the Willetton stabbing attack, pictured at Royal Perth Hospital. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

The man who was stabbed in the back by a radicalised 16-year-old boy in a Bunnings car park has spoken from his hospital bed, saying he is still coming to terms with the ordeal.

In an attack that police say meets the definition of a terror attack, the man, who does not want to be identified, was randomly targeted and stabbed in the back by the teenager in the carpark of Willetton Bunnings at about 10.15pm on Saturday.

As revealed by The Nightly, the teen — who is being referred to as James — had called triple-0 saying that he intended to kill all men in the area and condemned Australia’s backing of Israel.

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Minutes later, police arrived and the boy was shot dead after he pursued the officers with the knife.

Victim of the Willetton stabbing attack, pictured at Royal Perth Hospital.
Victim of the Willetton stabbing attack, pictured at Royal Perth Hospital. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

A short time later, the victim, who is aged in his 30s, was found close by with stab wounds to his back.

He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, from where he released a statement on Wednesday.

“I am currently coming to terms with my injuries, and the circumstances surrounding the events of Saturday evening,” the man said.

“I would like to thank the first responders who attended the scene, the staff at Royal Perth Hospital for the treatment that I have received, and the community for their support.

Victim of the Willetton stabbing attack, pictured at Royal Perth Hospital.
Victim of the Willetton stabbing attack, pictured at Royal Perth Hospital. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

“This is very difficult time for everyone involved, and I ask that I now be afforded privacy as I recover from my physical injuries and the emotional toll that this has placed on me.”

Originally published on The Nightly

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