Six people were killed and several others injured in a stabbing on Saturday afternoon at a crowded major shopping mall in Sydney, Australia’s deadliest mass violence in at least eight years.
Police said the attacker was shot dead by a lone police officer who was led into the mall by people fleeing the scene. According to police, the officer was following the knife-wielding man, trying to catch up with him, when he turned and lunged at her with his weapon. Anthony Cooke, assistant commissioner of New South Wales Police, said the officer then opened fire, saving lives.
Police said the man stabbed someone while moving through the shopping center. Four women and one man died at the scene. Emergency responders said eight people were transported to area hospitals and police said one of them, a woman, later died. Karen Webb, New South Wales police commissioner, said a nine-month-old baby was among the injured and had undergone surgery.
Police said they have not officially identified the man but believe they know his identity. They believe he is 40 years old and acted alone and there is no continuing threat, Police Commissioner Webb said.
The attack stunned and terrified a country where acts of mass violence are rare. “Australians will be shocked tonight,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a press conference on Saturday afternoon.
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Police said the attacker’s motive was unknown at this time, but there were no signs that this was a hate crime. Police said he did not appear to target any specific person.
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The attack happened on Bondi Junctiona bustling commercial district in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, an affluent area near the coast.
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Multiple calls about a stabbing began coming in from people at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre, shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Damien Cave Report contributions.
