Six killed, 12 injured in stabbing at Sydney shopping centre; attacker shot dead by woman cop

Six people were killed and a nine-month-old babywas among several others injured when an attacker wielding a knife went on a stabbing spree at a crowded shopping centre in Sydney, Australia on Saturday (Apr 13) afternoon, till a woman police officer acted alone, confronted the accused and shot him dead, said the New South Wales police.

The woman cop is being hailed as a hero on social media and by the Australian prime minister.

Several videos of panic and confusion as well as the suspect during the stabbing attack at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction surfaced on social media showing the horror when the attacker charged at several shoppers with a knife.

Video has emerged of a man wearing shorts and a sports jersey inside the shopping centre, carrying a knife.

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The cops said the identity of the suspect has not yet been established but added that he most probably acted alone and there was no continuing threat.

What we know about the incident

Emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction just before 4:00 pm (local time) following reports of multiple people stabbed, said the police, in a statement. “A critical incident has commenced following the shooting of male at Bondi Junction,” it added.

The NSW police later confirmed that five people had been killed after a knife attack and 12 people, including a nine-month-old baby, had been stabbed and taken to several hospitals across the city.

A sixth stabbing victim died in hospital following the rampage bringing the total death toll to seven, including the attacker, said the police in an update.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed the death offour women and one man at the shopping centre and another woman who died in the hospital.

Webb said that the alleged attack was a40-year-old man, but the police are still waiting to formally identify him. She also said that this was not aterrorism incident.

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The police said that the alleged attacker was in the shopping centre around 3:00 pm (local time) before he left for around 20 minutes and came back with a knife.

The man was fatally shot by an officer who was nearby, said NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke. “She (the officer) confronted the offender who had moved by this stage to level five as she continued to walk quickly behind him to catch up with him,” he said.

“He turned faced her raised a knife. She discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased,” Cooke added. He also said that early investigations suggest the man acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat.

“This all happened very, very quickly - the officer that was in the vicinity attended on her own, was guided to the location of the offender by people who were in the centre.”

“She took the actions that she did saving a range of people’s lives; an inspector, a senior police officer - she was on her own. She engaged immediately on her arrival to the scene,” Cooke said about theofficer who shot the alleged attacker.

An eyewitness said the woman officer tackled the situation very calmly and asked the attacker to drop his knife. However, the attacker lunged at the cop with his knife.

“She was put in a situation where she had to do it. She did it so calmly. She was amazing,” Michael Dunkley, the owner of a cafe, told news.com.au.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed a news conference and hailed the ‘heroism’ of first responders, police and civilians.

He went on to commend the lone woman officer who shot the attacker.

“The bravery of the police officer, who entered the proceedings that were taking place - obviously very dangerous - by herself, she is certainly a hero. There is no doubt she saved lives through her action.”

‘Horrific experience’

One shopper named Adriana told state broadcaster ABC News was with her two daughters at a beauty store when they heard gunshots.

“All of a sudden the front doors were closed and in a matter of seconds we heard some gunshots and got sent to the storage room at the back of the shop. There were about 30 or 40 people there,” she said.

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“Everyone was screaming, crying, trying to call their relatives. It was an horrific experience,” Adriana told ABC News.

Meanwhile, videos have flooded social media of local citizens throwing tables and chairs at the knifeman to take him down.

A man wearinga white t-shirt and jeans is also being hailed as a hero on social media after a clip of him holding abollard and confronting the alleged attacker on an escalatorwent viral.

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media.

This Aussie man took on the armed attacker in Bondi Junction Shopping Centre, Sydney - putting his own safety at risk to save others.

He is a hero. https://t.co/vs9xFMXSPV — Anna McGovern (@AnnaMcGovernUK) April 13, 2024

Australian PM responds to attack

Australian PM in a post onX and said that he had been briefed after the incident by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Canberra.

“Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones,” said the Australian PM, in a post.

He added, “Our hearts go out to those injured and we offer our thanks to those caring for them as well as our brave police and first responders.”

In a last-minutepress conference, he called thedevastating scenes at Bondi Junction Westfield “beyond words or understanding” and a "horrific act of violence indiscriminately targeted at innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday."

NSW Premier Chris Minns, who was in Japan for a family holiday, said he was returning to the city immediately. “I am horrified to hear about the events at Bondi Junction this afternoon,” he said, in a statement.

He added, “I am making immediate arrangements to return to Sydney. I want to thank NSW Police, emergency services and first responders and the community for their bravery in the face of this shocking incident.”

(With inputs from agencies)