20-year-old accused of plotting school shooting and university bombing to stand trial

A 20-year-old Melbourne man who allegedly amassed gun parts, tactical gear and chemicals to carry out terror attacks on a school and university will stand trial on seven charges.

A Melbourne man accused of plotting terror attacks on a school and university has been ordered to stand trial. Picture: David Crosling

A Melbourne man accused of stockpiling weapon parts and chemicals to carry out terror attacks including a school shooting and a university bombing has been ordered to stand trial.

The 20-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday via video link from custody, where he pleaded not guilty to seven explosive-related charges.

Magistrate Malcolm Thomas committed the young man to stand trial in the County Court, finding there was sufficient evidence for a jury to potentially convict him.

Police allege he amassed gun parts, tactical gear and precursor chemicals for homemade explosives, which were uncovered in counter-terrorism raids last year after a tip-off from the FBI.

Items allegedly found hidden in his family’s suburban home included a bayonet, 500 bullets, firearm components, a military-style vest, helmet, gas mask and handwritten plans for violent attacks.

A magistrate ordered the man to stand trial. Picture: Penny Stephens

Those notes allegedly detailed chilling plots for a shooting spree at his former high school, a university bombing, a train derailment, police shootings and poisoning a public water supply.

Two forensic officers gave evidence on Tuesday about how the chemicals found could be used to manufacture explosives.

Detective Senior Constable Andrew Tucker told the court the investigation was ongoing, and police had recently searched the man’s prison cell and seized further items.

The man has been refused bail twice, with Mr Thomas previously warning of the potential catastrophic consequences if he were released into the community.

“If (he) carried out his plans, multiple people would be killed, injured and forever traumatised,” the magistrate said.

“The psychological evidence presented in this case, at this stage, in no way demonstrates that (he) has made any progress being deflected from his homicidal ideation.”

Police raised concerns about a delivery of chemicals which had not been found and notes referencing “secret locations” where the man conducted his work.

At an earlier bail application, some of the notes were read out.

“I made a vow to myself before I commit suicide, I will take someone else’s life and they will die horrifically … not by a quick cut to the main artery but brutally by bleeding to death,” one allegedly said.

“Then if I have enough time I will kill someone else. I will decapitate them and cut out their innards. I will dangle them all over the place until the whole room is bloodied and then it’s my turn.”

The court heard internet searches of mass shootings in the US including the Columbine High School massacre and the Christchurch mosque shooting were also found on the man’s phone.

Handwritten notes, some of which were encrypted, were also allegedly found in the man’s cell after his arrest, detailing plans to attack police and transgender people along with “anti-Semitic Nazi-type documentation”.

The man will face a directions hearing in the County Court next month.