2010 Darwin shopping mall bombing
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Darwin Shopping Mall Bombing was an incident which occurred on 3 February 2010 at a shopping mall
, located in the Darwin CBD. 19 people were wounded, including a Police Officer
.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:00am local time, when a dissatisfied customer of the local branch of Territory Insurance pushed a shopping trolley
loaded with petrol cans
, and fireworks
into the building. where it then detonated, wounding many inside in the Bank. The wounded were taken by ambulance
to nearby Royal Darwin Hospital
. The streets around the area, as well as the shopping mall which also contained a Woolworths was closed down while Emergency Services attended the scene. Soon after the incident a local man handed himself into Police.
Despite the obvious shock and horror of the incident, many nearby civilians and passers-by rushed to the scene to help those who had been wounded in the blast. Northern Territory Police
Commander Rob Kendrick praised those who ignored their own safety to aid those in need saying
, Setting fire to a building, Intending serious harm by causing explosion, as well as recklessly endangering life. He was refused bail
and appeared at Darwin Magistrates Court on 5 February On 30 April, he reappeared in court via video link from Berrimah prison
.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
, located in the Darwin CBD. 19 people were wounded, including a Police Officer
Northern Territory Police
The Northern Territory Police is the police body that has legal jurisdiction over the Northern Territory of Australia. This police service has 1302 gazetted police positions made up of 55 Senior Sergeants, 200 Sergeants, 741 Constables, 159 Auxiliaries, and 84 Aboriginal Community Police Officers...
.
Bombing
In the lead up to the bombing, it is believed the suspect had made several threats to the office, and as a result security had been stepped up at the office.The incident occurred at approximately 11:00am local time, when a dissatisfied customer of the local branch of Territory Insurance pushed a shopping trolley
Shopping Trolley
"Shopping Trolley" was a 2006 single by English songwriter Beth Orton. It was released as a 2 CD single set and 12 inch vinyl , and an early version of the title song can be purchased from iTunes.-CD: EMI / CDEMS 694 United Kingdom :# "Shopping Trolley"...
loaded with petrol cans
Jerrycan
A jerrycan is a robust fuel container originally made from pressed steel. It was designed in Germany in the 1930s for military use to hold 20 litres of fuel. The development of the Jerrycan was a huge improvement on earlier designs, which required tools and funnels to use.-Uses:Today similar...
, and fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
into the building. where it then detonated, wounding many inside in the Bank. The wounded were taken by ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
to nearby Royal Darwin Hospital
Royal Darwin Hospital
Royal Darwin Hospital is a 345-bed teaching hospital located in the northern suburbs of Darwin, Northern Territory.-History:The first hospital of the settlement of Palmerston was built in 1874. The hospital was built on Packard Street overlooking Doctors Gully under the authority of Dr James...
. The streets around the area, as well as the shopping mall which also contained a Woolworths was closed down while Emergency Services attended the scene. Soon after the incident a local man handed himself into Police.
Despite the obvious shock and horror of the incident, many nearby civilians and passers-by rushed to the scene to help those who had been wounded in the blast. Northern Territory Police
Northern Territory Police
The Northern Territory Police is the police body that has legal jurisdiction over the Northern Territory of Australia. This police service has 1302 gazetted police positions made up of 55 Senior Sergeants, 200 Sergeants, 741 Constables, 159 Auxiliaries, and 84 Aboriginal Community Police Officers...
Commander Rob Kendrick praised those who ignored their own safety to aid those in need saying
"I have heard that persons shopping in the vicinity did provide assistance.
"Those persons are to be congratulated and I certainly applaud their actions."
Aftermath
A 44-year old man handed himself into Police soon after the bombing and has been charged with at least 9 counts of attempted murderAttempted murder
Attempted murder is a crime in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.-Today:In English criminal law, attempted murder is the crime of more than merely preparing to commit unlawful killing and at the same time having a specific intention to cause the death of human being under the Queen's Peace...
, Setting fire to a building, Intending serious harm by causing explosion, as well as recklessly endangering life. He was refused bail
Bail
Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail...
and appeared at Darwin Magistrates Court on 5 February On 30 April, he reappeared in court via video link from Berrimah prison
Berrimah Prison
Berrimah Prison is a maximum security Australian prison located in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.It replaced Fannie Bay Gaol and opened on 1 September 1979 -Notable prisoners:...
.
See also
- Timeline of major crimes in AustraliaTimeline of major crimes in AustraliaTimeline of major crimes in Australia-1800s:*26 January 1808 - George Johnston played a key role in the only successful armed takeover of government in Australia's recorded history, the Rum Rebellion...
- Crime in AustraliaCrime in AustraliaCrime-wise, Australia is comparatively a safe place to live, though often the perception of crime is much higher. Human smuggling, human trafficking and the illegal drug trade have all impacted Australia in recent years...
- Crime in the Northern TerritoryCrime in the Northern TerritoryDarwin has per capita the highest crime rate of any Australian city, while Alice Springs has the second highest crime rate of any Australian city...