BREAKING: ‘No Reasonable Opportunity’ to Stop Teen Terrorist Who Gunned Down Police Accountant, Inquest Finds
- A 15-year-old terrorist, known to authorities, shot dead police accountant Curtis Cheng outside a Sydney police station in 2015
- Inquest finds law enforcement could not have intervened before the attack due to limited intelligence and time frame
- Deputy State Coroner praises police officer who shot dead the teenager, saying he used ‘appropriate force’
- Curtis Cheng’s family pays tribute to the ‘devoted husband and father’ who was ‘senselessly’ killed by a violent extremist
The inquest into the tragic death of police accountant Curtis Cheng has delivered a devastating verdict: there was ‘no reasonable opportunity’ for law enforcement to intervene before he was gunned down by a 15-year-old terrorist outside a Sydney police station.
The shocking finding has left many wondering how this senseless act of violence could have been prevented.
On October 2, 2015, Curtis Cheng, a 58-year-old police civilian employee, was shot and killed by Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad outside police headquarters in Parramatta.
The teenage gunman, who was known to NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (NSW JCTT) investigators, was then shot dead by a special constable at the scene.
The inquest, led by Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee, has found that the fatal attack was the result of violent Islamic extremism.
The investigation revealed that while there had been some surveillance of a group surrounding the radicalised teen, he had not been individually identified as at risk of violent extremist acts by NSW JCTT investigators.
The intelligence gathered did not allow for the details of the participants to be identified, and the teen was not the subject of any specific surveillance.
It was only after the incident that investigators were able to form an accurate picture.
Deputy State Coroner Lee praised the police officer who shot dead the teenager, saying he used ‘appropriate force’ in the circumstances. The officer, codenamed ‘C’, took the only tactical option available to him when he responded to gunshots outside police headquarters.
Magistrate Lee also paid tribute to Curtis Cheng, describing him as a ‘devoted husband and father’ who ’embodied the values which shaped this country’.
Curtis Cheng’s family was in attendance at the inquest, and they paid tribute to their loved one, who was ‘senselessly’ killed by a violent extremist.
The family’s strength, courage, patience, and generosity during the public legal proceedings were praised by Magistrate Lee, who said that Mr Cheng’s life would not be defined by his tragic death.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The inquest’s findings raise serious questions about the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorist attacks.
While the investigation found that the police officer who shot dead the teenager used ‘appropriate force’, it also highlights the challenges faced by authorities in identifying and preventing violent extremist acts.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism in Australia and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Security analysts say that the case highlights the need for improved intelligence gathering and sharing between agencies. ‘The fact that the teenager was known to authorities but not individually identified as a risk is a concern,’ said one expert.
‘It shows that we need to do more to identify and track individuals who are at risk of radicalisation.’
Law enforcement insiders warn that the case also highlights the need for increased resources and funding for counter-terrorism efforts.
‘We need to invest more in our intelligence agencies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the tools and resources we need to prevent attacks like this,’ said one source.
The case has also sparked renewed calls for greater community engagement and cooperation to prevent radicalisation. ‘We need to work together as a community to identify and support individuals who are at risk of radicalisation,’ said one community leader.
‘We need to create a society that is resilient to the threat of terrorism.’
As Australia continues to grapple with the threat of terrorism, the inquest’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, cooperation, and community engagement.
The case of Curtis Cheng’s tragic death will not be forgotten, and it will continue to shape our approach to counter-terrorism efforts in the years to come.
In the words of Magistrate Lee, ‘While his life was ended prematurely by an act of senseless violence, he will not be defined by it.’ Curtis Cheng’s legacy will live on, and his memory will continue to inspire us to work towards a safer and more resilient Australia.
Terrorism in Australia
Counter-terrorism efforts
Radicalisation
Australian Federal PoliceNSW Police
Terrorism in Australia
Counter-terrorism efforts
Radicalisation
