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2015 Parramatta shooting

33°49′02″S 151°00′31″E / 33.817191°S 151.008539°E / -33.817191; 151.008539

2015 Parramatta shooting
NSW Police Headquarters on Charles Street, Parramatta
LocationNew South Wales Police Force
NSW Police Headquarters (The Curtis Cheng Centre)
Parramatta
Date2 October 2015
4:30 p.m. (AEST)
TargetNSW Police Force
Attack type
Gun attack
WeaponsS&W .38 revolver
Deaths2 (including the perpetrator)
VictimsCurtis Cheng
PerpetratorsFarhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar
MotiveIslamic terrorism[1]

On 2 October 2015, Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar, a 15-year-old boy, shot and killed Curtis Cheng, an unarmed police civilian finance worker, outside the New South Wales Police Force headquarters in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia. Jabar was subsequently shot and killed by special constables who were protecting the headquarters. As of 27 April 2016, four other men have been charged in relation to the shooting, among whom Raban Alou was convicted of terrorism offences in March 2018.[2]

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione described the event as a politically motivated act of terrorism.[3]

Background edit

In the days leading up to the shooting, police reported that there had been an increase of "chatter" about a potential attack occurring.[4] An alert had been circulated to all police, ordering them to wear their firearms on them at all times, even at their desk.[5] Police are believed to have had intelligence of a potential attack on the Parramatta headquarters up to 12 months prior, although it was unknown if that was linked to the 2 October 2015 incident.[5] In the days before the shooting, police and security officers had seen an individual taking photographs of the entrance to Police Headquarters.[6]

Police investigated the crime as a "terrorism offence."[3]

Shooting edit

 
Entrance to the building where the shootings took place

On 2 October 2015, a 15-year-old boy carried a S&W .38 revolver to the street outside NSW Police Headquarters at Parramatta, walking past an unarmed plainclothes female detective. At 4:30 p.m., the assailant killed 58-year-old unarmed police civilian accountant Curtis Cheng as he was walking out of the building. The shooter remained at the scene and continued firing into the police headquarters. He was shot dead by one of three special constables who responded to the shooting.[7][8][9]

Perpetrator edit

Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar (25 January 2000 – 2 October 2015), an Iranian-born boy of Iraqi Kurdish background, was identified as the shooter. He was not known to police, and just prior to the attack he had visited a local mosque, where he listened to a lecture by extremist Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.[10] A report by Peter Lloyd on PM argued that Jabar had visited Bukhari House, which promotes the views of Feiz Mohammad.[11]

Jabar lived in North Parramatta and was a Year 10 student at Arthur Phillip High School.[12] He was in the same year as a student who in 2014 flew an ISIL flag through Western Sydney.[13] He was described by classmates as quiet, often upset-looking, solitary, obedient, humble, occasionally bullied, and good at basketball. His neighbours called him a "normal" kid.[14][15]

Investigations into Jabar's motivations for the attack were ongoing, but it is suspected "there was some influence" that was of an ideological, religious, or political nature.[16]

Jabar was buried in the Islamic section of Rookwood Cemetery.[17][18][19]

Aftermath edit

ABC News reported that Farhad Jabar's older sister, Shadi Jabar Khalil Mohammad, went missing on 1 October and may have flown out of the country to Istanbul.[20] It was subsequently reported that she was thought to be in Syria.[19] In May 2016, the Australian Government was advised by the US Government that she had been killed by a US air-strike on 22 April 2016 in al Bab, near Aleppo in Syria.[21][22]

Cheng's funeral was held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on 17 October 2015. The service was attended by his family, senior politicians and police officers, and 1500 mourners. A guard of honour lined the cathedral steps and the road outside.[23]

In November 2015, the Four Corners TV program ran an episode entitled Plan of Attack: The making of a teenage terrorist which documented the chronology of related events prior to the Parramatta shooting. The program covered the roles of: Abdul Nacer Benbrika, Faheem Khalid Lodhi, Khaled Sharrouf, Jihadi Jake and detailed the 2005 Sydney terrorism plot, the Holsworthy Barracks terror plot and the 2014 Endeavour Hills stabbings.[24]

Jabar's older brother, his wife and daughter said they intended to move back to Iraq. Subsequently, they left Australia.[19]

Terrorism charges edit

On 4 October 2015, police raided the Parramatta mosque. It was reported that Farhad Jabar would frequently skip school to attend prayers there.[25]

On 6 October 2015, police arrested another student of Arthur Phillip High School for allegedly posting offensive and threatening material on Facebook in support of the shooting.[26] On the next morning, 200 counter-terrorism police raided four homes near Parramatta and arrested four males.[27] Three of the four males were later released.[16]

On 15 October 2015, police re-arrested, and charged, Talal Alameddine, 22, with supplying a firearm, breaching a firearms prohibition order and hindering police. Almeddine was one of the three previously released.

In January 2016, new charges of being members of a terrorist group were laid against three men, in connection with Cheng's murder. The men were held in Goulburn jail, with bail refused.[28]

On 27 April 2016, a fourth person, Milad Atai, was charged in relation to the shooting. He was charged with "providing support to a terrorist organisation" for allegedly aiding the travel of Jabar's sister to Syria.[29] Atai was later charged with planning the attack.[30] On 23 November 2018 Atai was found guilty of "... assisting and encouraging 15-year-old Farhad Jabar to shoot Mr Cheng"... "... and helping the boy's sister reach Islamic State in Syria." and was sentenced to 38 years jail with a minimum of 28½ years.[31]

Raban Alou, 18, held since 6 October,[32] was charged with aiding, abetting, counselling and procuring the commission of a terrorist act.[33][34] Counter-terrorism sources have said that the case against Raban and Alameddine was circumstantial.[35] In a court case during which the judge warned Alou that refusal to stand for the court could have consequences for sentencing,[36] Alou pleaded guilty to "aiding, abetting, counselling and procuring the commission of a terrorist act" and was sentenced to 44 years in prison.[2]

Alamaddine pleaded guilty to "possession of the revolver connected with the preparation for a terrorist act, and being reckless as to that connection." and also to supplying the revolver to Alou, and "twice breaching a firearm prohibition order previously placed on him". In May 2018 Alameddine was sentenced by judge Peter Johnson in the NSW Supreme Court to 17 years, 8 months with a minimum of 13½ years.[37]

Reactions edit

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Jabar appears to have committed a politically motivated act of terrorism.[38][8][9] Muslim community leader Dr Jamal Rifi put out a statement, saying, "The horrible attack in Parramatta is a cold blooded murder with no justification or excuses. ... We need to work collaboratively tackling radicalisation among the youth with federal and state governments."[39]

On 13 October 2015, the New South Wales government requested legal changes to allow control orders on people aged 14 and over. George Brandis the Attorney-General for Australia agreed to the changes.[40] The same day, Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten and Richard Di Natale attended a press conference for an interfaith group called National Day of Unity.[41]

The chairman of Parramatta mosque gave a speech during Friday prayers on 9 October 2015 saying "We reject terrorism."[42] The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, condemned the shooting but refused to call the incident an act of terror without "more information" and until "it's proven to be a terrorist act".[43] A statement by the Australian Federal Police to the ABC's Media Watch program said that "emotive headlines" in sensationalised news reports can "help extremists amplify their deliberate strategy to incite fear and hate."[44]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Everyone wants to die for Allah': Teen tells inside story of Australia's most-watched Islamic State group". ABC News. 20 October 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Raban Alou sentenced to 44 years in prison for role in Curtis Cheng murder". ABC News. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b Innis, Michelle (6 October 2015). "Terrorism Cited in Killing in Australia". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Parramatta shooting: Multiple shots fired outside police HQ on Charles Street". Daily Telegraph. 2 October 2015.
  5. ^ a b Ralston, Nick; Aubusson, Kate; Benny-Morrison, Ava (3 October 2015). "Parramatta shooting: increased 'chatter' before fatal attack". Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. ^ "Parramatta shooting: People seen taking photographs outside HQ". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Sydney shooting: Police believe Parramatta shooting linked to terrorism". NewsComAu. 2 October 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Parramatta shooting victim Curtis Cheng a 'gentle man', Police Commissioner says". ABC News Online. 3 October 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Gunman who shot dead NSW police employee was radicalised youth". ABC News Online. 3 October 2015.
  10. ^ Mitchell, Georgina (4 October 2015). "Parramatta shooting: Teen gunman Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar's alleged links to extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir". Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. ^ Peter Lloyd (ABC correspondent) (9 October 2015). "Bukhari House linked to Parramatta killer". PM (Australian radio program). Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  12. ^ "Police begin to build profile of teenage Sydney gunman". Nine News. 4 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  13. ^ "NSW Labor Opposition calls for inquiry into radicalisation in schools". Sydney Morning Herald. 9 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Who and what inspired Sydney teenager Farhad Jabar to kill?". news.com.au. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  15. ^ Morri, Mark; McLellan, Ben; Fife-Yeomans, Janet (5 October 2015). "Police look at whether mosque, Islamic bookstore influenced Parramatta gunman Farhad Jabar". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 October 2015. (subscription required)
  16. ^ a b Bruno, Gus (8 October 2015). "Three of four released following Sydney counter-terrorism raid arrests". AAP. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Everafter". rookwoodcemetery.discovereverafter.com. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  18. ^ Banks, Laura (20 October 2015). "Teen terrorist Farhad Jabar's body buried in Rookwood Cemetery". dailytelegraph.com.au.
  19. ^ a b c Banks, Laura (19 January 2016). "Farhad Jabar: Teen jihadi's brother Farshad flies out to Iraq". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  20. ^ "NSW Police headquarters gunman identified as Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad". ABC News (Australia). 3 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  21. ^ Metherell, Lexi (5 May 2016). "Neil Prakash's death a 'huge blow for Islamic State'". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  22. ^ "Death of Australian citizens Neil Christopher Prakash and Shadi Jabar Khalil Mohammad" (Press release). attorneygeneral.gov.au. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  23. ^ Barlass, Tim (17 October 2015). "Curtis Cheng funeral: mourners farewell killed police employee". Sydney Morning Herald.
  24. ^ Thompson, Geoff; Balendra, Jaya (23 November 2015). "Plan of Attack: The making of a teenage terrorist". ABC Four Corners. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  25. ^ "NSW Police raid mosque linked to shooter". South China Morning Post. Agence France-Presse. 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  26. ^ "Student arrested outside Arthur Phillip High School over social media posts". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Counter-terrorism raids in Sydney after fatal Parramatta shooting". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 October 2015.
  28. ^ Fife-Yeomans, Janet (14 January 2016). "Terror cell charges for three men charged in connection with murder of Curtis Cheng". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  29. ^ Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Sean (27 April 2016). "Fourth alleged IS member charged over Parramatta police shooting". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  30. ^ Partridge, Emma (9 June 2017). "Accused terrorist's sister hit with charge". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  31. ^ "Unremorseful IS supporter jailed for 38 years over Curtis Cheng death". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. AAP. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Unemployed Sydney teenager handed revolver to gunman in Parramatta Mosque, police allege". 7.30. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 October 2015. Police charged Alou on Thursday evening, when a court order to hold him in custody for 168 hours expired.
  33. ^ Olding, Rachel (15 October 2015). "Parramatta shooting: Two men charged with terrorism offences". Sydney Morning Herald.
  34. ^ "Parramatta shooting: Sydney man charged with supplying gun to Farhad Jabar". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  35. ^ Jessica Kidd; David Spicer (17 October 2015). "Parramatta shooting: Men suspected over terror murder of NSW Police worker refused bail". ABC. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  36. ^ Ford, Mazoe. "Supreme Court Justice scolds Raban Alou over decision not to stand during sentencing hearing". ABC News. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  37. ^ Thompson, Angus (18 May 2018). "Man who supplied the gun that killed Curtis Cheng jailed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Parramatta shooting: Andrew Scipione says teen shooting linked to terrorism". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 October 2015.
  39. ^ Morton, Rick; Lewis, Rosie (4 October 2015). "Sydney shooting has terror links, police chief says". theaustralian.com.au.
  40. ^ Anderson, Stephanie (13 October 2015). "Tougher terrorism laws to protect against 'incitement of genocide', Malcolm Turnbull says". Australian Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 17 October 2015. Law changes requested by the New South Wales Government and agreed to by Attorney-General George Brandis could also see young people closely monitored under potential laws aiming to lower the age of control orders from 16 to 14.
  41. ^ "Live: Labor goes on front foot over FTA". ABC News. 12 October 2015.
  42. ^ "'We reject terrorism': Parramatta mosque chairman". News.
  43. ^ "Grand Mufti speaks on Parramatta terror shooting, raids". AAP. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  44. ^ "Media Watch: Reporting terror: balancing fact and fear (12/10/2015)". abc.net.au. 12 October 2015.
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