Man Threatens MP's With Nunchucks

What happened

The outlets' own sentences, most widely reported first. Hover or tap one to see who reported it.

Analysis

How it changed

1. 21 Oct

   WA police responded to reports of a man making a disturbance at the office of state MP Hannah Beazley in the inner-Perth suburb of Victoria Park on Wednesday afternoon.

   3 outlets · Daily Mail
2. 22 Oct

   John Lawrence Smart is accused of making threats at Ms Beazley's electorate office in inner-city Victoria Park on Wednesday while in the possession of an "improvised martial arts weapon".

   3 outlets · ABC News (Australia)
3. 23 Oct

   The incident at the WA electorate office comes just days after Federal MP Helen Haines was attacked outside her electorate office in Victoria.

   2 outlets · ABC News (Australia)

Coverage 9 articles

• 23 Oct WA police chief says no concerns reported before alleged WA MP threatsWestern Australia's Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that there were no prior concerns reported about John Lawrence Smart before he was charged with threatening staff at state MP Hannah Beazley's electorate office and possessing an improvised martial arts weapon and cannabis. The 56-year-old, who has a schizophrenia diagnosis, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court where his bail was refused. Commissioner Blanch…ABC News (AU)
• 22 Oct Man arrested for threatening another female lawmaker in AustraliaA man was arrested in Australia after reportedly threatening staff with nunchucks at the office of Western Australian state lawmaker Hannah Beazley on Wednesday afternoon. This incident follows another recent politically motivated attack that left another female member of parliament without both her legs. Police responded to reports of a disturbance around 1:15 p.m. local time, where the suspect allegedly made…Washington Examiner
• 22 Oct ‘Nunchucks’ wielded by agitated man in Hannah Beazley’s office may have been drumsticks, court toldJohn Lawrence Smart appeared before a Western Australian magistrates court after allegedly threatening Hannah Beazley's electorate office staff while holding what police described as improvised nunchucks. However, during the hearing, Smart claimed he was actually carrying drumsticks, suggesting he was a musician and had been misunderstood due to mental health issues. The court heard that Smart had previously been…The Guardian
• 22 Oct Man charged over WA MP threats says weapon was musical instrumentJohn Lawrence Smart appeared before a Perth Magistrates Court after being charged with threatening Labor MP Hannah Beazley at her Victoria Park office while allegedly armed with weapons resembling nunchucks. However, Smart claimed he was holding claves, wooden percussion sticks, and cited mental health issues during the hearing. The court learned that Smart has a history of schizophrenia and refused him bail; he…ABC News (AU)
• 22 Oct Safety of Australian women MPs in focus after man with nunchucks threatens staffA man armed with nunchucks entered Western Australian state minister Hannah Beazley’s Perth office, making verbal threats to staff while she was absent. This incident follows another recent attack on female legislator Helen Haines, who was hit by a car multiple times. These events have increased concerns over the safety of women MPs in Australia, particularly regarding accessibility and security measures for…South China Morning Post
• 22 Oct Man arrested over alleged nun-chuck threat at WA MP's officeJohn Smart was arrested in a Bentley home following an alleged threat made with nun-chucks against Western Australian MP Hannah Beazley, who serves as the Local Government Minister. He faces charges related to the threatening incident at the politician's office.Sydney Morning Herald
• 22 Oct Man charged after entering WA MP’s electorate office with ‘nunchucks’
  Sydney Morning Herald
• 22 Oct Man arrested for allegedly making threats at Hannah Beazley’s electorate office while armed with nunchucksOn Wednesday, a 56-year-old man was arrested and charged with making threats while armed with nunchucks at the electoral office of Western Australian local government minister Hannah Beazley in Perth. Police responded to reports that the man verbally threatened staff members and attempted to access the minister despite not being present during the incident; no injuries were reported. The prime minister, Anthony…The Guardian
• 21 Oct Man arrested after allegedly bursting into MP's office armed with nunchucks and making threats - just days after Helen Haines attackA man was arrested for allegedly making verbal threats while armed with nunchucks at the office of Western Australian state MP Hannah Beazley in Victoria Park, Perth on Wednesday afternoon. Police found and questioned a 56-year-old man in the nearby suburb of Bentley without any injuries reported. This incident occurred days after Helen Haines, an Australian federal MP, was severely injured by a car attack outside…Daily Mail

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