Perth School Shooting: 15-Year-Old Boy Remanded to Detention Centre
A 15-year-old boy accused of firing gunshots at a Perth school has been remanded to the Banksia Hill Detention Centre while his lawyer determines if he should apply for bail. The boy, who cannot be identified, is accused of illegally driving a car to Atlantis Beach Baptist College in Two Rocks on Wednesday and firing three shots at buildings. The school in Perth’s northern suburbs went into immediate lockdown as students sought shelter by hiding under their desks. Police later seized two high-powered rifles.
Body-Worn Camera Footage Released
Police have released body-worn camera footage showing the aftermath of the shooting at Atlantis Beach Baptist College on May 24, 2023. The footage shows officers descending on the scene and arresting the boy, who was forced to the ground before being handcuffed as he lay on his stomach.
Court Appearance
The boy appeared in the Perth Children’s Court via video link from Banksia Hill, with Magistrate Alana Padmanabham apologizing to him for not being brought to court in person due to issues with the holding cells. His lawyer then applied for the matter to be stood down to later that day, saying she had not yet had an opportunity to speak to the boy and his family about whether he should apply for bail.
Case Adjourned
The court was told the boy did not have any criminal record and his parents, who were in the back of the court, were supportive of him. But Magistrate Padmanabhan said she would need written reports before deciding if bail was appropriate, with the court hearing it was unlikely they could be finalized that day. The magistrate adjourned the matter to next Tuesday but told his lawyer she could make an urgent application to bring the matter back to court before then.
Police Cite Mental Health Concerns
State prosecutor Brad Hollingsworth said any bail application would be opposed. He said detectives, who were in court, had not yet been able to conduct a video-recorded interview with the boy because of concerns about his mental health. Mr. Hollingsworth revealed police had sought permission from a magistrate yesterday to extend the time the boy was held in their custody, but it had been denied and that had led to the charges being laid.
Conclusion
The incident has raised concerns about mental health and gun control laws in Australia. The case has been adjourned until Tuesday, with prosecutors set to oppose bail. The boy’s parents were in court as he appeared via video link. Police continue to collect evidence at Atlantis Beach Baptist College in Two Rocks, where the incident took place.
Source: abc.net.au
