Man charged after homemade explosive device thrown into crowd at Perth Invasion Day rally

A 31-year-old man was charged after throwing a homemade bomb at an Invasion Day rally in Perth. Photo / 123rf

A 31-year-old Warwick man has been charged after a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally in Perth on Monday, prompting a dramatic evacuation of Forrest Place.

The man faces two charges: an unlawful act with the intent to harm and making explosives under suspicious circumstances. He is due to appear in court on Tuesday.

The device, which contained ball bearings, screws and liquid in a glass container, was taken for preliminary testing by police forensics teams.

Speaking to ABC Radio Perth, Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch described it as “an improvised explosive device that was viable”.

“It had the potential to explode and injure many people or kill them,” he said.

When asked directly if it was a bomb, Blanch said, “yes, absolutely. It’s a bomb. A homemade bomb.”

Police believe the man attempted to ignite the device using a wick or similar method, but it failed to detonate.

“We came very close to potentially a mass casualty,” Blanch said.

“I’m not overplaying this. This could have been a mass casualty event.”

Blanch praised the swift response of officers on the ground.

“The Police Forward Commander made a very difficult decision, and he made the absolute right decision to evacuate that area. In the middle of a peaceful protest, we made the decision to save lives if this device had gone off,” he said.

Attendees followed police instructions and moved quickly and quietly out of the danger zone, allowing the rally to continue once the area was secured.

The incident began when members of the public saw the man throw the device from the upper east side of Forrest Place. Police immediately arrested him at the scene.

Blanch said the investigation into the man’s motivations was ongoing.

“At the moment we describe this as a hostile act. That may change based on the motivation for why this person did this or is alleged to have done this. We don’t have those answers at this time,” he said.

Police searched the man’s home in Warwick, with officers downloading devices and looking for materials that could explain his motives.

Blanch also confirmed there was no ongoing threat.

“At this stage, we are confident he acted alone. There was only one device. Early indications of a second device were discounted. The investigation is thorough and ongoing, but otherwise I am confident,” he said.

Blanch said further investigations would determine if it was a terrorist act.

“To be a terrorist act, we have to determine whether there is a political, religious or ideological motivation, and whether the person taking that act is seeking to advance those causes. That is where we are up to in the investigation,” he said.

The national Joint Counter Terrorism Team is assisting WA Police, and discussions are ongoing with Asio and the AFP to determine if further charges may be laid.

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