The 17-year-old, who has been nicknamed "Egg Boy," listened to the Queensland senator speak for an hour at a news conference following the shooting on March 15 by Australian right-wing extremist Brenton Tarrant before deciding to egg him. The teen decided to take the plunge after Anning said that "the real cause of the bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place."
— Henry Belot (@Henry_Belot) March 16, 2019
According to Australian police, egging is considered an assault. After being egged in front of cameras, Anning attempted to punch Connolly in the face, twice. The senator managed to land one blow before witnesses in the crowd pulled him and Connolly apart.
The teenager was then wrestled to the ground by Anning's supporters, although he was not resisting. Following the incident, the Australian government passed a censure motion against Anning over his comments, a symbolic gesture of rebuke. During Australia's general election on May 18, Anning also failed to win a new term in the Senate.
Several fundraising accounts were set up to collect donations around the world to help cover Connolly's legal defense costs. With Connolly's lawyers at the Gordon Legal law firm in Melbourne, Australia, representing him pro bono, "Egg Boy" decided to donate all of the money to two support groups for people affected by the shootings, namely the Christchurch Foundation and Victim Support.
"I decided to donate all monies to help provide some relief to the victims of the massacre… it wasn't mine to keep," Connolly wrote on his Instagram account Tuesday. "To the victims of the tragedy, I wholeheartedly hope that this can bring some relief to you."
"Keep spreading the love," he added.
According to Australian police, Connolly was given an official caution, or formal warning, following the egging incident. A person handed an official caution has to admit they are guilty of a crime. Anning, on the other hand, was not not charged by police, who claim that he punched Connolly in an act of self-defense.
