The Australian Federal Police badge (2014).
UPDATE: A 21-year-old Perth man, Lucas Shawn Cameron, has just been charged with four additional terrorism offences as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged Islamic extremism. The Western Australia joint counter-terrorism team announced these developments following extensive searches of Cameron’s electronic devices by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), ASIO, and WA Police.
Cameron was initially arrested on December 4, 2023, and charged with five offences. Authorities have uncovered further extremist material on one of his devices, leading to the new charges. These include two counts of collecting or making documents connected to a terrorist act, possessing violent extremist material via a carriage service, and possession of an item associated with a terrorist act.
Cameron is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday for a bail application. This arrest comes amid heightened alerts for extremist threats in Australia following the tragic Bondi Beach massacre, where 15 people lost their lives during a shooting at a Jewish festival. Authorities have not suggested any connection between Cameron and the Bondi incident.
In a concerning detail, an AFP spokesman revealed that Cameron allegedly used one of his devices to send messages requesting assistance with explosive devices, military training, and weapons manufacturing. Investigators also found he had breached his bail conditions by contacting a woman he was ordered to avoid, leading to previous charges of assault and threats against her.
As this investigation develops, law enforcement remains vigilant against potential extremist activities across the country. The situation is evolving rapidly, with implications for national security. Stay tuned for further updates as authorities continue to assess the ongoing threat landscape.
