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Australia - no doubt a case of mental illness
[TheAustralian] British woman dead, two injured in backpacker hostel stabbingA French national allegedly shouted “Allahu akbar” during and after a stabbing attack that left a British woman dead and another Briton fighting for his life at a backpackers hostel outside of Townsville last night. Possible extremist motivations for the attack are now being investigated by Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police, with the man yet to be questioned by investigators. Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the 29 -year-old French man shouted the phrase following the attack at the hostel at Home Hill, south of Townsville, but police had not determined whether the incident was terror related. “While this information will be factored into the investigation, we are not ruling out any motivations at this stage, whether they be political or criminal,” he told reporters in Brisbane. “Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drug misuse factors are involved in this incident.” Mr Gollschewski said a 21-year-old British woman was found dead at the scene, while another Briton, a 30-year-old man, was in a critical condition in Townsville Hospital. A local man was also treated for injuries, but had since been released from hospital. Mr Gollschewski said the man yelled “Allahu Akbar” both during the attack and while being arrested by police. The man didn’t have any known links to the Islamic State group, he said. “This person appears to have acted alone,” Mr Gollschewski said. “He is a visitor to Australia and has no known local connections, however investigations are ongoing.” He said charges were yet to be laid but police weren’t looking for any other suspects and there was no known ongoing threat to the community. “This is not about race or religion - it is individual criminal behaviour,” he said. Mr Gollschewski said a dog was also fatally stabbed in the incident. Dawson MP George Christensen said police had a video of the incident, where the backpacker shouted “Allahu Akbar”. Mr Gollschewski said the man, who was lawfully in Australia on a temporary visa, and his alleged victims were all staying at the same backpacker hostel. Australian Federal Police Commander Sharon Cowden said her officers are working with international law enforcement agencies. Queensland Police confirmed they were called to a building on Ninth Street 11.15pm last night following reports a person had been stabbed. The alleged attacker, a 29-year-old Frenchman, was transported by police to Townsville, where he is being treated by doctors for non-life threatening injuries. Charges are yet to be laid. Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said the man appeared to have acted alone. He had no known local connections and was visiting Australia. Authorities immediately contacted the families of the UK victims, via the British consulate. The Home Hill Backpackers is a popular tourist stop for young travellers seeking work on local farms. The hostel is a favoured stop for French and British backpackers, who regularly post photos on social media of parties held in the north Queensland town. Posted by: Bov Flimbers 2016-08-24 |
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