Christchurch shooting: Anning’s EggBoi ‘overreaction’ draws police attention

Victoria Police have yet to lay charges over the egging of Senator Fraser Anning.

Senator Fraser Anning in Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Victoria Police have yet to lay charges over the egging of senator Fraser Anning but state Police Minister Lisa Neville has warned that the senator may be the one facing court for his “overreaction”.

Will Connolly, 17, attracted international attention after filming himself interrupting Senator Anning at a press conference in Melbourne on Saturday by breaking an egg on the back of his head.

Footage captured Senator Annin­g striking two blows in return­ before Will was tackled by the senator’s supporters and forcefully restrained.

Ms Neville said yesterday that police were looking at the use of restraint and “whether there was overreaction”.

 

“The police are looking at the footage and getting witness statements because there were a numbe­r of people who had pretty bad behaviour,” the minister told radio 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

A Go Fund Me page titled “Money for EggBoi” has raised more than $40,000 towards a $50,000 goal. While the page originally claimed funds would go toward­s “legal fees and more eggs”, an update claims Will plans to send most of the money to the Christchurch victims.

The Australian understands people close to him are concerned about his safety, given extensive global publicity. However, he has continued to post update­s on social­ media accounts, including artworks created by admire­rs of ‘‘EggBoi’’.

Senator Fraser Anning is egged by 17-year-old William Connolly.

On his public Facebook page, the Melbourne teenager, who until recently appeared to be preoccupied with socialising with friends, football and baseball, has shared photos, videos from Saturday, artworks and messages to his supporters. “Dear all, I’m not a hero, I’m just someone who doesn’t like racism to the religion of my friends,” he posted.

He also thanked his inter­national supporters, singling out Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey: “A lot of respect for all of you thanks”.

EggBoi has also been immortalised in a mural in Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane.

Senator Anning told media in Brisbane yesterday he acted in self-defence. “He got a slap across the face, which is what his mother should have given him long ago, because he’s been misbehaving badly,” he said.

“When somebody cracks you in the back of your head, you react and defend yourself.

“That for years is what Aust­ralians have been doing, luckily they did that in the trenches, ­otherwise we’d be all speaking German now.”

Additional reporting: AAP