Counter-terrorism police have been called in to investigate after a 14-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old student at the University of Sydney.
The teenager, who was wearing an army cadet-style uniform, allegedly stabbed the man in the neck and back with a stolen kitchen knife at the campus in Sydney’s inner-west at about 8.35am on Tuesday.
The man who has been identified as an Australian national was rushed to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A 14-year-old boy later presented to the same hospital covered with blood and was arrested after he allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Mark Walton said at a press conference that the boy was ‘known to police’ but a motive behind the alleged attack had yet to be established.
‘A motive or ideology importantly has not been determined at this time,’ he said.
‘This young person’s activity is unknown, but I would say that it’s likely to be categorised as mixed and unclear ideology’. ‘
‘It’s certainly not a religiously related ideology.’
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and a student has been rushed to hospital after a stabbing sent the University of Sydney into lockdown (police are pictured at the scene)
Assistant Commissioner Walton said those motivated to do these type of attacks often had a ‘sort of salad bar’ of mixed beliefs.
‘A lot of these vulnerable people, they’re not linked to one particular ideology,’ he said.
‘They will move as they’re exposed to different things … but it’s a very complex environment.
‘It’s not a linear position where we can respond to one particular ideology.’
Despite the alleged attacker wearing camouflage, the assistant commissioner Walton said ‘he has no association with the military or the cadets’.
Police said they were ‘confident’ the alleged victim would be able to help in their investigations.
In an earlier statement, NSW Police said the teenager – who is understood to have a history of mental health issues – did not know the alleged victim.
It’s understood the teen injured his hand during the incident and was treated at the hospital where he was ‘currently undergoing a mental health assessment’.
Photos from the scene show a jacket and a backpack beside what appears to be a bloodstain on concrete paving at the university’s entrance.
A student, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Telegraph they had been inside a café when someone rushed to lock the doors.
The teenager allegedly stabbed the man, 22, in the neck and back at the university in Camperdown, in Sydney’s inner west, about 8.35am on Tuesday
Photos from the scene show a puffer jacket and a backpack beside what appears to be a bloodstain on the concrete at the university’s entrance (pictured)
‘They said someone had been badly hurt but we didn’t know it was a stabbing. To find out someone was stabbed like that is really scary,’ they said.
Tutors said multiple buildings at the campus were immediately subject to a lockdown with up to 15 buildings placed on ‘secure mode’ – meaning students need their access cards to get inside.
The University of Sydney issued a statement to students.
‘As a precautionary measure there may be an increased security and police presence on campus while investigations continue,’ a university spokesperson said.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and members of the community is our priority, and we continue to work with authorities.
‘Our support services are available for anyone who needs assistance. You can access free and confidential counselling and wellbeing support 24/7 with Student Wellbeing by visiting the health and wellbeing webpage. 24-hour support is also available from Lifeline via text, online chat, or by calling 13 11 14. ‘
Police are seen taking large paper bags of evidence from the scene
Forensics are seen tagging evidence at the entrance of the University of Sydney
Police and ambulance crews left the university at about 10am on Tuesday
University of Sydney Vice Chancellor Mark Scott said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the events on Tuesday.
‘NSW Police have arrested the alleged attacker and have assured us that there is no ongoing threat to the community,’ he wrote.
‘We will continue working with police as their investigation continues and we will provide more details to our community later today.’