Major Updated in Stabbing Incident at the University of Sydney

An Aussie teen has been charged with a number of offenses following the brutal stabbing of a 22-year-old on a University of Sydney campus in early July. On Tuesday, a 14-year-old boy was charged by New South Wales Joint Counter Terrorism Team officers after he allegedly stabbed 22-year-old Melvern Kurniawan in the back and neck using a kitchen knife. 

Officials confirmed this week that the alleged attacker was charged with three counts of damage to property by fire and explosion, as well as wounding and causing grievous bodily harm to a person with the intent to murder. The teen’s case was heard at a children’s court in the city on Tuesday, August 6. The alleged attacker was also refused bail. 

What Happened On July 2?

In early July, Sydney counterterrorism officers confirmed that a teenage boy wearing a camouflage-style uniform attacked a student in the neck on a university campus. The student was immediately taken to the nearby Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in stable condition. The suspect is understood to have caught a bus from the university and admitted himself to a hospital for treatment. He was later arrested at the medical facility. 

Acting assistant commissioner for the New South Wales Police, Mark Walton, issued a statement at the time confirming that they were unaware of a motive behind the attack. Walton also confirmed that they were unaware of any ideological purpose behind the incident. 

“The ideology that may be related to this young person’s activity is unknown,” Walton said, adding that he didn’t believe that it was religious or political. 

Speaking to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, the mother of the victim described his condition as “really fine.”

“He doesn’t want to talk about it for now, just recover first,” Desy Kurniawan said, adding that he is the “smartest guy” they know. 

According to his public LinkedIn page, Kurniawan’s studies were part of his own personal quest to help people through his study of the relationship between the brain, psychology, and behavior. At the time of the attack, Kurniwian was heading to the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre for class.