Chilling new allegations were made today about the potentially deadly device that was designed to explode on impact on Forrest Place in the CBD about 12.30pm yesterday.
A 31-year-old man has been charged but his identity can’t be revealed because of concerns for his safety.
Soon after, the homemade bomb that allegedly could have killed or injured many people was sealed in a plastic bag in the hands of specialist police.
“Police will allege a man removed an item from his bag and threw it into the crowd from a first-floor walkway before fleeing the scene,” a WA Police spokesperson said.
A 31-year-old man was taken into custody on the first-floor walkway, where he allegedly told police the device may contain explosives.
It did not detonate and no injuries were reported.
Police alleged the homemade improvised explosive device contained a mixture of volatile and potentially explosive chemicals, with nails and metal ball bearings affixed to the exterior.
“We will allege that that device was designed to explode upon impact, but for reasons not yet known, it didn’t,” WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told radio station 6PR this morning.
“This was responded to as a mass casualty event, a potential mass casualty event,” Blanch said last night.
Police raided a home yesterday, where they allegedly found chemicals and materials commonly used to make homemade explosives.
The 31-year-old man was charged with making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances and one count of an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.
In Perth Magistrates Court, his lawyer requested his identity be suppressed because of concerns for his safety in custody.
He said it might be seen that a class of people was the target of the alleged offences.
Still wearing a forensic suit, the man saluted the magistrate as he entered the dock and made a praying gesture as the suppression order application was considered.
He had flagged a bail application, but that was withdrawn and he was remanded in custody to reappear in three weeks.
Whether or not this was an act of terrorism is still under investigation.
Multiple agencies have been called in to assist WA Police, who are searching through the suspect’s devices for a motive.
“I think WA is a safe place, but yesterday tells us as a community that safety isn’t assured,” Blanch said today.
Premier Roger Cook yesterday slammed the bomb scare as “completely unacceptable”.
“This Australia Day should be about unity, not division. That a peaceful protest was targeted in this fashion runs against the very heart of what it means to be Australian,” Cook said.
“We can’t let hate win.”
The suspended rally was eventually able to resume, where protesters marched through the streets calling for justice for First Nations peoples.
Those who attended the invasion Day Rally were today coming to terms with what could have been.
“This is unacceptable in the community. So on Australia Day or any other day, this behaviour should not be tolerated,” rally organiser Fabian Yarran said.
Organisers and attendees, like Tanesha Bennell, said they felt “angry and frustrated” that the event was impacted by the threat.
“Not surprised though, this is very standard. I feel sad that once again our Elders are being silenced,” Bennell said.
“They were grabbing Elders, Aunties and Uncles, taking them away from their place to speak,” another attendee claimed.
Blanch said it was a “hard decision” but backed the call to shut down the rally.
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