Australia teen charged with terrorism after entering politician’s office with intent to kill News
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Australia teen charged with terrorism after entering politician’s office with intent to kill

A 19-year-old man has been charged with a terrorism offense in New South Wales after briefly entering the office of State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp with plans to kill him, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Thursday. 

The man, identified as Jordan Patten from Raymond Terrace, New South Wales, has been refused bail and appeared before the Newcastle Local Court on Thursday via audio-visual link. He was charged with one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act under Section 101.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).  Acting Magistrate Anthony Spence said there was an intention to kill Crakanthorp due to his status as a member of parliament. 

The police were alerted on June 26 that Patten had entered Crakanthorp’s office briefly before leaving without making contact with staff, and he was arrested at the Newcastle Museum soon after. Police had been notified of Patten’s location as he had walked in holding a knife and was dressed in tactical gear, wearing a backpack and livestreaming on a GoPro strapped to his head. According to the police statement, several items were seized from the man. No one was harmed or injured. 

The Joint Counter Terrorism Team, consisting of members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and NSW Crime Commission, are further investigating the incident, and authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Investigators confirmed to media outlets that Patten circulated a 205-page manifesto to numerous public figures and media outlets detailing his anti-immigration and anti-diversity views. He also professed an admiration for the Christchurch mass killer, which was circulated online in encrypted extremist groups. Patten’s brother William spoke to local media and described Jordan as a “quiet and smart introvert who was neither working nor studying and had a number of mental health issues.” 

Patten is due to appear in court next on August 21 where he potentially faces life imprisonment.

Knife violence is rare in New South Wales, but in recent months there has been a spike in stabbing incidents. On April 28, a 16-year-old was charged with terrorism offenses as he stabbed the bishop and several other worshippers at a church in Wakeley, Sydney. The week prior, a man was shot dead by police after stabbing six people in a shopping mall in Bondi, Sydney. 

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