Terror suspect shot dead 'was not alone'
An 18-year-old terror suspect who was shot dead after he attacked two officers in a frenzied stabbing rampage outside a Melbourne police station may not have been acting alone, according to reports.
The teenager, who has been named in media reports as Numan Haider, had also researched the Prime Minister's travel arrangements, making specific inquiries about Mr Abbott's plans to visit Melbourne, it has been reported.
Haider, who had been on the terror watch list for several months, was fatally shot after he stabbed two anti-terrorism officers with a knife outside Endeavour Hills police station on Tuesday night.
Both officers have undergone surgery and remain in a stable condition in hospital.
Police had been monitoring 18-year-old Numan Haider for a number of months before he was shot dead after stabbing police officers multiple times. Photo: 7News/The Age
Haider, of Narre Warren, had been seen at a shopping centre displaying a flag linked with jihadist group Islamic State, or ISIL, and last week had his passport cancelled on national security grounds.
Victoria Police Commissioner Ken Lay said police were investigating reports Haider, who had been associated with a radical Islamic group, was talking to other people in the lead up to the attack.
"There is some information that he was certainly talking to other people around the time that he came to the police station," he told ABC radio.
"[They} may well have known him. I won't say working with him, but it's just a little unclear to us at the moment whether there was actually people at the police station with him.
Mr Lay said it was unclear whether others might have dropped him off or were waiting for him.
"That'll be clarified in a little while," he said.
Mr Lay also dismissed claims Mr Haider may have intended to behead the police officers, drape their bodies in the jihadist flag, and post images to social media.
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that I'm aware of that would suggest that was the intention," he said.
"Having said that, there were some really worrying pieces about this young man's behaviour that we are working through.
"It's not helpful to be making these great leaps based on speculation."
Haider, whom 7News understands had planned a trip to Iraq and Syria, agreed to meet the the the counter-terrorism officers about his concerning pro-Islamic State behaviour.
He refused to be interviewed in the police station, but agreed to an informal chat in the car park.
Haider, who was yesterday described by friends as a 'good kid', shook their hands before trying to kill them.
He was shot dead by the Victorian officer.
Police say the officer had no other choice after the known terror suspect had repeatedly stabbed an Australian Federal Police officer and the leading senior constable who shot him.
Forensic officers examine the scene where a teenage terror suspect was fatally shot after stabbing two police officers at Endeavour Hills. Photo: Getty
A subsequent search of Haider's body revealed a second large knife and an Islamic State flag in his pocket, according to reports.
Haider had been associated with radical Islamic group, Al Furqan, which became the subject of terror raids in 2012.
It is understood Haider had recently moved away from the group, but had taken to Facebook to vent his anger following last week's anti-terror swoops in Brisbane and Sydney.
7News understands Haider was invited for an interview with police to explain his support of the Islamic State terror group, including inflammatory comments towards Federal Police and counter terrorism forces posted on his Facebook page.
One post read: 'The main message I'm sending with these statuses and photos is to the dogs AFP and ASIO who are declaring war on Islam and Muslims.'
The Al Furqan Islamic Information Centre today expressed its condolences to the family of "brother" Numan Haider, insisting it was in no way linked to Tuesday's attack.
"We sincerely pray that they are granted patience and strength in this difficult time," the centre said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.
"We would also like to express our deep shock at the tragic events of Endeavour Hills."
It was disappointed by the "sensationalist" assumptions which accompanied media coverage of the event and raised Haider's right to the presumption of innocence.
"We call upon the wider community to extend to every member of our society this basic right, especially if they are no longer with us to defend themselves," it said.
"Al Furqan would also like to emphasise that both its centre and its president, Harun Mehicevic, are in no way involved or connected to this incident."
Islamic Council of Victoria secretary Ghaith Krayem said on Wednesday Haider had in the past been involved with Al Furqan, which was raided by police in 2012, but hadn't had recent contact with the group.
Terror suspect shooting: What we know
18-year-old Narre Warren Muslim man Numan Haider
Came to police attention three months ago
Known terror suspect
Passport cancelled a week ago after escalating pro-Islamic behaviour
Spotted at a Melbourne shopping centre with an ISIS flag
Police arranged to meet on Tuesday night to discuss behaviour
Man arrived at Endeavour Hills police station near 8pm
Uncomfortable meeting in foyer, he wanted to talk in car park
After a hand shake, man attacked police
AFP officer stabbed in neck, wrist, stomach and head
Victoria Police officer stabbed twice in forearm
That officer killed man with single shot
Another knife found on terror suspect's body
Officers required surgery, both in stable condition.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Lay said the teenager first came into contact with police about three months ago.
"What we saw did cause us some concerns which resulted in us taking some interest in him," he said.
"It's true to say late last week we learned of some behaviours that were causing us significant concern and our interest was greatly heightened."
Australian Federal Police acting commissioner Andrew Colvin said it was a range of factors that heightened the police interest in the man.
"It was a range of factors that had escalated our interest in this gentleman over the recent days, a range of factors that gave us concern about possibly his intentions and what he may do.
"But again it wasn't specific."
The man had been seen in a shopping centre with a flag that appeared to be from jihadist group ISIS, also known as Islamic State, but that was not the only factor that led police to escalate interest in him.
"It was factors in terms of activity at shopping centres, more about rhetoric and things that he had been heard to say," Mr Colvin said.
Mr Colvin said he was pleased with how the officers responded to the attack.
"Our worst case scenario is an unprovoked attack by someone at close quarters with a knife," Mr Colvin said.
"We should be thankful we're dealing with one death not three."
Mr Colvin confirmed there were no specific threats made against Prime Minister Tony Abbott by the man who was fatally shot, contrary to earlier reports.
Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, AFP Acting Commissioner Andrew Colvin and Vic Premier Denis Napthine hold press conference over Endeavour Hills incident. Photo: Getty
On Wednesday morning, Justice Minister Michael Keenan told reporters in Canberra the man was a known terror suspect.
"The person in question was a known terror suspect who was a person of interest to law enforcement and intelligence agencies," Mr Keenan said.
The man agreed to meet police at the Endeavour Hills station on Tuesday night to discuss what Australian Federal Police Commander Bruce Giles described as a "routine" issue.
"The incident took place in the course of normal greetings; so, meeting with the individual, shaking hands, introducing and then the incident unfolded," Mr Giles told reporters at the scene.
The man stabbed an AFP officer three to four times before twice stabbing a Victorian officer in the forearm, police said.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the Victorian officer fired a single shot that killed the man.
"Our members had no inkling that this individual posed a threat to them," he said.
"It's absolutely clear to us that our members really had no choice other than to act in the way in which they did."
A crime scene was set up where the shooting and stabbing took place. Picture: Getty
Mr Cornelius said police had not singled the man out.
"Where we see individuals behaving in a way which causes concern for public safety, we have to reach out to those individuals," he said.
The teenager greeted two officers before stabbing them. Picture: Getty
Mr Abbott, who overnight addressed the UN Security Council in New York, reaffirming Australia's support for the war on terror, said it was a "fierce attack" on the police officers.
"Obviously this indicates that there are people in our community who are capable of very extreme acts," he said via video link during a short stopover in Hawaii yesterday.
"It also indicates that police will be constantly vigilant to protect us from people who would do us harm."
The federal Labor MP for Holt, where the shooting took place, said his community was shocked and horrified by the incident.
Calls to arm police
Every officer working in a police station needs to be armed, Victoria's police association boss says.
Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles says police officers will be on high alert after the Endeavour Hills attack, especially those fielding inquiries at station counters where members of the public can approach freely.
"Presently, most police officers aren't armed in the police station so anyone who comes to the public counter can have a conversation with the police officer, that police officer is not armed," Sen Sgt Iddles told ABC radio on Thursday.
"I think from now on every police officer in a police station who has a dealing with the public will have to be armed."
Mr Iddles said pulled-over motorists might also be asked to put their hands out the window as officers assess possible new risks.
"The motorist might be asked to put his hands out the window to make sure there is no weapon," Mr Iddles told Fairfax radio.
He said he had fielded a high number of calls from officers about safety and security at stations.
Napthine calls for unity after attack Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said it was a tragic and isolated incident which should not be allowed to divide the Victorian community as he urged the community to remain calm and work together. Dr Napthine said Numan Haider's actions were his own, and were not about faith, religion or ethnicity."It's not the time to divide communities, it's not the time to pit one against the other, because that will increase tension and increase the risk," Dr Napthine said in a television interview."We work best when we work together."Members of Islamic Council Victoria said the Muslim community had already received threats of violence following Tuesday night's incident. Dr Napthine said he would meet with Victoria's faith leaders to talk about how problems could be dealt with."We'll be asking faith leaders what particular actions they believe will address the issues they say are ongoing problems," he said.Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay has written to the state's police officers and asked them to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant."This has been a confronting reminder to all police members about the stark realities and dangers that can present themselves at a moment's notice," Mr Lay said.
Forensic police are seen at the scene where a man was shot dead after stabbing two counter terrorism officers in the suburb of Endeavour Hills on September 24, 2014 in Melbourne. Photo: Getty
Don't panic about AFL security: Vic policeAnxiety about the AFL grand final is natural after Melbourne's terror suspect shooting but security will be tight and people shouldn't panic, police say.Victoria's chief commissioner Ken Lay said the incident would make the community feel less assured but he urged people to take comfort in heightened security at the MCG and enjoy Saturday's game "like every Victorian should"."This is traditionally one of the very finest weekends on the Victorian calendar yet many people with a ticket in their hand will feel a new sense of anxiety as they consider their attendance at the MCG," Mr Lay told reporters on Wednesday."But again, I reiterate the strong measures we have put in place to ensure that all security will be there that is necessary."Extra police will work closely with ground security and specialist resources such as undercover police will be used, Mr Lay said.He said there had not been any specific threat made to the event, but the environment was changing.Security for the game was stepped up after Australia's terrorism threat level was raised.Authorities have urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.
Stabbed officers undergo surgeryBoth officers have undergone surgery for their injuries but may need further treatment.Police Association of Victoria secretary Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles says the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police officers had surgery following the Tuesday night attack but might have to undergo further procedures."Both had surgery yesterday," he told AAP on Thursday."They may need further surgery ... they will be in hospital for a few days."The AFP officer was stabbed three or four times, in the neck, stomach and head.The Victorian officer received a slash to his arm before firing a shot that killed the 18-year-old terror suspect.Both are in a stable condition in hospital."Although both officers are in a stable condition, we should be under no illusions about the seriousness of their injuries," AFP acting commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters on Wednesday.
Both officers were taken to hospital after being stabbed. Picture: Twitter
Mr Lay said the officers would get help to recover from the physical and mental trauma of the attack."These were two young men who turned up to work, doing their job, keeping their community safe, in a very very difficult environment, and came across a person who seemed to me to have one thing on his mind," Mr Lay said yesterday.
The shooting and stabbing took place near the Endeavour Hills police station. Picture: ABC
Muslim leaders react to deathMuslim leaders say the shooting highlights the importance of dealing with alienation and the Islamic Council of Victoria expressed "deep sorrow" over the incident."There needs to be a full and objective investigation into this incident to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated," the council said in a statement on Wednesday.
The teenager greeted two officers before stabbing them. Picture: Seven News
"This tragedy highlights the real cost of a failure to deal with these serious issues and why we have made numerous calls on the Australian government to deal with the root causes of alienation and disaffection of people such as this."The council said it would support the man's family."There will be many questions that they will want answers to and in the fullness of time we expect that the events of last night will become clearer," the council said.
