Man charged with Australia attack ‘inspired by IS’

“We will be alleging before court that this was an act that was inspired by ISIS”, NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn told reporters Sunday local time. “What made him actually act yesterday we don’t know, but hopefully further investigations will uncover that”.

Police said the suspect tried to stab officers through a window before he was arrested. “That didn’t happen fortunately”, Burn said.

“This clearly was a very volatile, very violent situation that police and the members of the community were confronted with”. He was treated by paramedics at the scene before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital where he is in a critical condition.

He suffered serious injuries to his body and hands and managed to run to the nearby home for help.

Witnesses heard the 22-year-old man shouting in Arabic during and after the attack.

Local residents said the victim was regularly seen walking his dog in the area.

She said the 22-year-old had formed a view about the victim that resulted in him being targeted. He was arrested at the scene following a confrontation with police.

The alleged attacker is known to police, though not regarded as having been connected to known terrorist groups or known extremists, she said.

Ms Burn also confirmed the accused 22-year-old is known to police and has previously been before the court on a property related charge.

Police said there was no ongoing threat to the community in relation to the incident.

She said he was not connected to any local or global terror groups but he’s “clearly dealing with some issues”.

The alleged stabbing by the 22-year-old in Sydney came two days after a teenage boy was charged with making threats at the Sydney Opera House, and both incidents followed an ISIS call to target high-profile Australian sites.