Police feared Christchurch man was planning terror attack

A notice on the door of Troy Dubovskiy's St Martin's house. Photo: Karen Brown
A notice on the door of Troy Dubovskiy's St Martin's house. Photo: Karen Brown
Warning: This story discusses suicide.

Police feared a Christchurch man who died after a stand-off was planning a terror attack of the scale of the mosque shootings, an inquest has heard.

Artemiy Dubovskiy, who was known as Troy, is suspected of taking his own life early on March 27, 2019, after negotiating with police for hours.

The stand-off came after officers raided the 54-year-old's home and found weapons and Nazi paraphernalia.

An inquest into his death concluded on Monday with senior police officers giving evidence.

Assistant Commissioner Corrie Parnell, who was Canterbury investigations manager at the time of the Christchurch terror attack, said police feared someone could take inspiration from the 15 March shootings at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.

"History tells us that we see these events replayed in some way, shape or form in terms of other actors and particularly those who are planning tend to mobilise," Parnell told the coroner.

Authorities were preparing for the National Remembrance Service at Hagley Park on 29 March to honour victims of the terror attack when Dubovskiy came to police attention.

It was in that environment police were assessing dozens and dozens of threats which had come to their attention since the shootings.

Parnell said there were about 150 threats or persons of interest being assessed by police.

"This particular incident presented in the top three outside of the March 15 event and had this played out it would have been of equal significance," Parnell said.

Police found a loaded semi-automatic rifle and what could have been components for an IED when officers raided Dubovskiy's home on 26 March.

Parnell requested images from Dubovskiy's home after the search.

"It was like I was looking at March 15 - a similar cache," he said.

Counsel assisting the coroner Josh Shaw asked Parnell if what he saw confirmed his high level of concern about Dubovskiy and his intent.

"It did. There were photographs of components on a bedside or bench that had the makings of what I would describe as some sort of incendiary device," Parnell said.

Dubovskiy came to police attention after sending threatening emails to a school.

Further inquiries showed he expressed support for the terrorist responsible for the Christchurch mosque shootings and had been preparing to carry out an attack of his own, including training another individual to assist him, Parnell said.

Police later learned officers were likely to be targets in any attack.

A Dubovskiy family member closed the inquest by thanking police, lawyers and the coroner for their efforts but remained adamant the portrayal of Dubovskiy during the inquest was not the man his family knew.

Where to get help:

  • Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
  • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
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  • Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
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  • Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
  • Healthline: 0800 611 116.
  • Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
  • OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.