‘Egg Boy’ Will Connolly: who is Australia’s new folk hero?

A 17-year-old Australian boy has become an international sensation after egging a lawmaker who suggested that Muslim immigration was to blame for last week’s deadly massacre at two New Zealand mosques.

Far-right Queensland senator Fraser Anning was condemned around the world for a statement in which he referred to the 50 Muslims shot dead by a self-declared white supremacist as “followers of this savage belief” and suggested they were not “blameless”.

During a TV interview on Saturday, Anning “felt a taste of the public fury against him when [the teenager] ambushed him and cracked a raw egg over his head”, says News.com.au.

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In a clip seen by millions, Anning then turns around and strikes out at his young assailant twice, before the senator’s supporters seize the boy and wrestle him to the floor.

Wellwishers quickly flooded social media with messages of support under the hashtag “#eggboy”, with some suggesting he deserved a place alongside the likes of Steve Irwin in the pantheon of legendary Australians.

He has since been identified as Will Connolly, a 17-year-old from Melbourne

Family friend Kate Forster described Connolly as “a great kid and really principled”, and praised his bravery and sense of humour.

Since shooting to viral fame, the teen has been “inundated with offers of free concert tickets from Australian bands”, as well as promises of free food and drink around the world, says the Daily Mail.

A mural has even appeared on a wall in Melbourne depicting the moment of the egging.

.In a tweet, Connolly thanked his supporters, and said that the response to his gesture had been “overwhelming”:

Police arrested Connolly at the scene, but later confirmed that he had been released without charge.