13-year-old boy charged with violent extremist offences and school attack plot in Queensland
Consensus Summary
A 13-year-old boy from Maryborough, Queensland, was arrested on May 28, 2026, after allegedly threatening staff at a BP service station with a knife. Police later charged him with violent extremist offences, including planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing extremist material, after seizing electronic devices from his home on May 30. The alleged target of the plot was St Helens State School, though police confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. The boyâs bail hearing was adjourned, with some sources indicating he remains hospitalized. Investigators are still determining whether the boy had ideological motivations, and authorities have emphasized the need for vigilance in monitoring youth online activity. Parents at the school expressed shock and concern, while local officials and health authorities are providing support to the community.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A 13-year-old boy from Maryborough, Queensland, was charged with one count each of preparation or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
- The boy was first arrested on May 28, 2026, after police were called to a BP service station on Saltwater Creek Road, Maryborough, following reports of a person with a knife threatening staff.
- Counter-terrorism detectives searched a Maryborough home on May 30 (or June 1, depending on source) and seized electronic devices.
- The boy was initially dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for one count each of attempting to enter premises with intent, going armed to cause fear, and making threats.
- The alleged target of the plot was St Helens State School in Maryborough, about 250 km north of Brisbane.
- Police state there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the boy remains in custody.
- The boy was due to appear in the Hervey Bay Childrenâs Court on June 5, 2026, but the bail hearing was adjourned until later in June.
- Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh stated it was too early to determine if the boy had ideological, religious, or political motivations.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Defence Barrister Clem Van Der Weegen said his client wanted to appear in court in person and was hospitalized until 'at no risk to himself or others', likely next week.
- Magistrate John Milburn ordered the matter transferred to Maryborough Childrenâs Court on June 17, with the full brief of evidence due by July 24.
- Health Minister Tim Nicholls said he had 'many questions regarding the shocking allegations' and that Queensland Health is working with police.
- The Department of Child Safety would not disclose whether the child was known to the department.
- The boy allegedly threatened occupants at a business on Saltwater Creek Road on May 20 (not May 28) and was dressed in a disguise.
- Detective Inspector Jason Hindmarsh said the boy was 'quite well advanced in his intention to cause death and grievous bodily harm' and that the threat to the school was 'imminent but no longer present'.
- Police will return to Maryborough on June 2 to conduct further inquiries with frontline officers and child protection services.
- The boy was refused bail at Maryborough Childrenâs Court on Monday (June 2).
- A spokesperson for the education department said guidance officer support was available for any students who may require it.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 3 (NEWSCOMAU) states the boy was first arrested on May 20, while all other sources say May 28.
- Article 1 (ABC) says the bail hearing was adjourned until 'later this month' (June), while Article 3 (NEWSCOMAU) says it was set for June 5 before adjournment.
- Article 1 (ABC) mentions the boy was released after initial arrest under the Youth Justice Act, while other sources do not specify this detail.
Source Articles
Bail matter adjourned for 13yo boy charged with violent extremist offences
The teenager's bail application has been adjourned until later this month and transferred to the Maryborough Children's Court.
'It is very scary': Parents shocked school was target of alleged deadly plot
A 13-year-old boy has been charged with violent extremist offences and posed an "imminent threat" to the school.
Boy, 13, charged over alleged school threat
A 13-year-old boy has been charged by police over an alleged plot to attack a local school, following an alleged shocking discovery by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
Teen charged with violent extremist offences allegedly planned school attack
Queensland Police say a 13-year-old boy posed an "imminent threat" to a Maryborough school.
âImminent threatâ: charges laid against 13-year-old who allegedly planned attack on Queensland school
Alleged threat on regional school north of Brisbane was âquite well advancedâ, state counter-terrorism police say Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Queensland counter-terrorism police have charged a 13-year-old with planning an attack on a regional school north of Brisbane. The teenager was arrested last Thursday after allegedly making threats at a business in Maryborough, armed with a knife. Continue reading...