'It is very scary': Parents shocked school was target of alleged deadly plot

Parents at St Helens State School say they are shocked. (ABC Wide Bay: Olivia Nunes-Malek) Maryborough parents say they are shocked and scared after finding out their children's school was the subject of an alleged deadly plot. A 13-year-old boy was arrested over the weekend and charged with violent extremist offences. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public and the boy remains in custody. Link copiedShareShare articleParents with children at a regional Queensland school that was the target of an alleged deadly plot have expressed their shock and disbelief. Queensland Police said a 13-year-old boy from Maryborough, who has been charged with violent extremist offences, posed an "imminent threat" to a school. Limited details have emerged so far about what the boy's alleged plan was. Tamika Weichmann says it is a scary prospect. (ABC Wide Bay: Olivia Nunes-Malek) Parents with children at the alleged target, St Helens State School in Maryborough, about 250 kilometres north of Brisbane, said they were in shock. "It is scary, it is very scary," Tamika Wiechmann said. Andre Johnston said it was "just crazy". "Pretty shocking really, [I'm] worried for sure," he said. Andre Johnston says the news is shocking. (ABC Wide Bay: Olivia Nunes-Malek) The teenager — who has been 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 of service — remains in custody after appearing in the Hervey Bay Children's Court on Monday. Queensland Police said the charges arose after the Counter Terrorism Investigation Group seized electronic devices from a Maryborough home on Saturday. The teenager is due to reappear in the Hervey Bay Children's Court on Friday. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside) The teenager had been arrested two days earlier on May 28 after police were called to a BP service station on Saltwater Creek Road in Maryborough following reports of a person with a knife. The boy was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act over one count of attempting to enter premises with intent, going armed to cause fear and making threats. Fraser Coast mayor George Seymour said he was shocked to hear of the alleged offence in the regional community. "There is nothing more important than the safety of children," he said. George Seymour says the news is extremely concerning. (ABC Wide Bay: Lucy Loram) "Maryborough and the Fraser Coast is a safe place where people feel safe and it is very concerning to see such a significant charge." Health Minister Tim Nicholls said on Tuesday that he had "many questions regarding the shocking allegations". "As is standard practice, Queensland Health is working with police as they conduct their investigations, including examining any interactions between the alleged perpetrator and the health system," he said. Police were initially called to a service station in Maryborough following reports of a person with a knife. (ABC News: Olivia Nunes-Malek) The Department of Child Safety would not disclose whether the child was known to the department. Speaking on Monday, Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh said it was too early to say if the boy had any ideological, religious or political motivations. A bail application hearing is set down for Friday in the Hervey Bay Children's Court. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesMinimum wage rises more than inflation in 'particularly challenging' decisionTopic:Wages and Benefits

'It is very scary': Parents shocked school was target of alleged deadly plot

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