Police in South Australia’s Riverland region have prevented a school massacre plot after being alerted that two teenage boys allegedly planned to attack their school using knives and explosives.
The two boys – aged 16 and 18 – were said to be in possession of firearms and explosives, a rumour later found to be false by South Australian police.
They had allegedly been planning an attack on the unidentified Riverland school since the beginning of June.
Both boys were arrested and charged with planning the offence earlier this month.
Detective Superintendent Des Bray confirmed that if the attack had gone ahead, it would have been “catastrophic”.
Of the two teens currently in custody the detective said:
“The younger has been charged with a count of solicit to murder, while the older teenager has been charged with aggravated counts of threatening to kill.”
If charged with the offence to solicit murder a maximum penalty of life imprisonment will be served.
“Since their arrest police have conducted an extensive investigation of this matter which has included searches of several properties, the seizing of weapons, and interviews with dozens of people.
“Police will allege that they intended to cause harm to a large number of people, however this plan was thwarted.
“There is no evidence to show that any other person was linked with this matter, nor did the two individuals have possession of firearms.”
The police worked closely with the Department of Education and the school authorities during the during the investigation.
More information as it is released.
