Glenunga International High School threats explainer: What we know so far about the suspect
Kids, parents and teachers at the Adelaide school have spent a year on edge as SA Police struggle to find answers to the frightening shocking situation.
Police investigating the longstanding threats made an extraordinary decision today to release key evidence in a bid to catch their suspect.
The threats, which included to bomb the school and boil students in oil, to poison supermarket produce and to harm Gather Round and Fringe Festival crowds, started in November 2024 – more than 12 months ago.
An arrest was made in May, leaving the school community sighing with relief that the culprit had been found.
But police dropped all charges and released the man, whose identity had been suppressed, soon after.
Today it was revealed the threats kept coming after the arrest and continue to this day.
The revelation came as SAPOL released a slab of intel on the culprit in a bid to finally catch them – including when and how the threats were being made, common phrases used, and images and handwriting samples – that investigators had gained on the suspect.
Police are urging anyone who has any information regarding the saga to come forward.
Here’s what we know so far.
What were the threats made to Glenunga International High School?
A series of threats were made towards GIHS, these included boiling a female student with oil, attacking the school with a car and injecting lead acetate into yoghurt, brownies and jellies. These threats were targeted towards the Jewish community, Gather Round, Fringe festival events and Glenunga High.
When were GIHS threats made?
The threats started on November 19, 2024. GIHS received 13 threatening emails between then and February 4, 2025 when the school community was sent a letter informing them of the emails. More threats then followed – including after an 18-year-old man was arrested – and then released with all charges dropped.
How did SA Police respond?
More than 100 “courageous” police officers were involved in a several-months long, “top priority” investigation to arrest a teenager allegedly threatening community safety in what Premier Peter Malinauskas described as the most complex police operation he’s ever been briefed on.
Giving an update into the significant, multi-agency investigation which resulted in the arrest of a southeastern suburbs man in May, the premier revealed ASIO and the Joint Counter Terrorism Team had been involved in the matter.
The 18 year old from Adelaide’s southeastern suburbs was released in June and all the charges were dropped in September.
At the time, police alleged he threatened to kill attendees at the Adelaide Fringe and Gather Round, and to attack staff and students at Glenunga International High School with knives, bombs and boiling oil.
It was also alleged that within emails the suspect called himself “the prophet of justice” and demanded $23 million in exchange for not carrying out the threats.
Police on Monday, December 1, also confirmed more threats had arrived after the man’s arrest in May and that their investigation has been ongoing.
SA Police ask Adelaide public – and Glenunga students – for help
During a press conference and during three assemblies at Glenunga High on Monday, December 1, police released a slab of intel on the culprit in a bid to finally catch them.
Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams took the extraordinary step of releasing a wealth of intelligence – including when and how the threats were being made, common phrases used, and images and handwriting samples – that investigators had gained on the suspect.
Ms Williams revealed the threats were coming from someone using the alias ‘Brian Cole’ and were being sent from a shared computer most weeknights after 9pm between November 19, 2024 and May 13, 2025.
The computer that was being used had the gaming platform Steam on it, and the game Black Myth; Wukong.
The behaviour changed around mid-May when police suspect ‘Brian Cole’ had a change in living circumstances and reduced access to a computer.
The threats returned, sometimes with gaps of three weeks, sometimes weekly, and sent after 9pm.
Police have urged the community to help identify the suspect. Police have said that they are working closely with GIHS and the department of education as the investigation continues.
Ms Williams said the investigation was complex and a high priority, with Australian Federal Police also involved.
What do we know about GIHS suspect?
Police on Monday said the suspect was a person with the alias of ‘Brian Cole’. The suspect has access to a shared computer most evenings after 9pm and often uses the gaming platform ‘Steam’ and the game ‘Black Myth; Wukong’.
Police are hoping handwriting from released photos will be able to assist in identifying the culprit.
It is also not yet clear if the person is acting alone.
What images did SA Police release on Monday?
A handful of images and the culprit’s handwriting were also released by police in the hope they are recognisable to someone.
One image is of a spider incorporated into the school logo and another depicting the logo constructed of the spider’s broken legs.
A third image is of two common pantry condiments – maple syrup and honey – pictured with a handwritten note.
“We are sharing these details with the school community and the wider public in the hope that someone may know this person or know someone who knows this person,” Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said.
How did GIHS respond?
The state’s top school increased security on the campus in February, including plastic bollards around the perimeter, regular visitor screenings, extra CCTV, police patrols and security guards. Traffic arrangements were made around the school to further protect students and staff.
The school also conducted lockdown and evacuation drills with students. Bollards were removed following the initial arrest but police security has often been sighted at the school. It is unknown if security measures will increase given Monday’s police press conference.
What have GIHS parents said?
Parents have expressed their concern for their children’s safety at the school since they were first informed of the threats more than three months after they started.
In May, a parent criticised Glenunga International High School for “glossing over” security concerns, leaving families “in the dark” and allowing rumours and fear to spread.
In September a father described the saga as a “nagging worry”.
On Monday, several parents who did not wish to be named expressed concern about school communication, saying it had been vague and failed to properly inform parents.
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Originally published as Glenunga International High School threats explainer: What we know so far about the suspect
