A 15-year-old boy, accused of carrying out a shooting at a school in Perth’s outer-northern suburbs, will spend another four days behind bars as his lawyer prepares to apply for his supervised release on bail.
WA Police allege the teenager, who can’t be named, drove to Atlantis Beach Baptist College in Two Rocks on Wednesday morning with two rifles, one of which he fired three times in the school’s car park just before midday.
At least two of the three shots hit a demountable classroom, which had children and staff inside.
The boy was charged late Thursday with seven alleged offences, including three counts of unlicensed possession of a firearm/ammunition, discharged a firearm in a manner to cause fear, and unlawful act or admission with intent to harm.
Appearing in Perth Children’s Court on Friday, his lawyer revealed she hadn’t had sufficient opportunity to speak with the boy.
Body cam footage from WA Police released on Thursday showed bullet holes in the side of a demountable classroom, which had students and staff inside at time of the alleged shooting.
The magistrate noted reports will need to be prepared on the suitability of his parents and their home, where it is assumed he will reside while out on bail.
The matter was adjourned until Tuesday so those reports can be generated.
Body cam vision released by police shows officers quickly apprehending a person at the scene on Wednesday, before giving the all-clear to classrooms where children were sheltering.
The college was closed on Thursday and was open with limited activities on Friday, before returning to a normal schedule on Monday.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch, speaking in the hours following the incident, called it “a rare incident” and a “one-off”.
Premier Mark McGowan, who toured the college on Thursday morning, said it “could have been so much worse”.
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He highlighted his government’s plans to beef-up gun laws, which had been announced in late April, and said he is seeking to make WA’s gun laws the “toughest in Australia.”
More to come.
Read related topics:Perth