University of Sydney stabbing: 14-year-old may have been influenced by ‘salad bar’ of ideologies, police allege | Sydney

New South Wales police investigating whether a 14-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old student at the University of Sydney has extremist links believe he may have been influenced by a “salad bar” of mixed ideologies.

The 22-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after the teenager allegedly stabbed him in the neck with a kitchen knife at the university campus in Sydney’s inner west after 8am on Tuesday.

The boy, who was dressed in a camouflage military uniform, allegedly fled the scene on foot before a member of the public helped him catch a bus to hospital, where he was arrested, treated for cuts to his hand, and underwent a mental health assessment.

The NSW police counterterrorism and special tactics command is investigating the incident in partnership with the Australian federal police, although they had not declared it a terrorism incident as of Tuesday afternoon.

Police were investigating potential extremist links, including white supremacy, but they had not identified a specific ideology, which is required before an incident can be designated as a terrorist act.

NSW police assistant commissioner Mark Walton said whatever ideology the teenager may have been acting on was “certainly not religiously motivated” and police were likely to treat it as “mixed and unclear” or a “salad bar of ideologies”.

Walton said it was unclear why the teenager allegedly targeted the student as they did not know each other.

“Because it’s under investigation [and] it’s a 14-year-old child, it’s difficult to be specific around this case,” Walton said.

“But what I would say is there’s no doubt nationally and internationally [that] the toxic nature of the internet is influencing people, particularly young people.”’

Asked by a journalist if the alleged victim was Jewish, the assistant commissioner said: “No, there’s no indication of any interest in the Jewish community from this event”.

Asked if there were any links to the pro-Palestine encampment that had been at the university, Walton said: “Absolutely none that we’re aware of”.

He said the teenager had already been known to police and government agencies, but he would not say what for at this stage of the investigation.

Speaking generally, Walton said, police were concerned about youth being radicalised online.

“They are embracing violent extremist ideologies and moving towards violence,” he said. “I urge parents that are aware that should be aware of this risk to their children.”

He said the 22-year-old was fortunate to have sustained only “fairly minor” injuries and there was no ongoing risk to the community.

The university vice-chancellor, Mark Scott, said he was “shocked and saddened” that a student had been attacked on campus.

“The student is in hospital and is in a serious but stable condition,” Scott said in an email to staff and students.

“NSW police have arrested the alleged attacker and have assured us that there is no ongoing threat to the community.”