Thursday, October 10, 2024

Six dead and eight in hospital after stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction shopping centre

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Six people have been killed in a knife attack at Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney’s east.

The offender, who NSW Police believe to be a 40-year-old man, was shot dead at the scene by a senior officer.

Five of the victims — four women and a man — died at the busy centre on Saturday afternoon and another woman died from her injuries in hospital.

Eight others who were injured, including a nine-month-old child, remain in hospital and some are in a critical condition.

As the attack unfolded, some shoppers ran to find safety in stores while others fled the building and some confronted the armed man.

Warning: Some readers may find the following details of the attack, witness accounts and footage of the incident distressing. 

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NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said authorities believed the man acted alone and there was no ongoing threat.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb said police believed they knew who the man was but he had not been formally identified.

She said the man was known to police and, while the motive was unclear, early indications suggested the attack was not related to terrorism.

“There’s no suggestions anyone was targeted but that could change,” she said.

NSW Police say the offender acted alone.(ABC News: Jack Fisher)

Police said the man was in the shopping centre at about 3pm before leaving and then returning around 20 minutes later with a knife.

A police inspector, who was nearby, was directed towards the man by witnesses, and she shot him dead after the offender confronted her.

“She 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 turned to face her, raised a knife,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.

“She discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased.”

Police officer directs traffic

Police and ambulance responded after receiving triple-0 calls. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)

Commissioner Webb said the officer was “doing well under the circumstances”.

“She showed enormous courage and bravery … we just talked [and] she’s OK, her family is OK. She’s got everything she needs for the time being.”

She said the officer would be formally interviewed on Sunday.

People stand on the street at Bondi Junction westfield after the stabbing incident on saturday april 13 2024

There is currently no information on the identity of the offender.(ABC News: Jack Fisher)

A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the injured people were taken to a number of hospitals across Sydney.

The baby has undergone surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Another victim was taken to St George Hospital and another to Royal North Shore Hospital.

Three people were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital at Darlinghurst. Another two are at Royal Prince Alfred in Camperdown. 

Acting NSW Premier Penny Sharpe said the event was horrific and distressing for the whole state, particularly as it came at a time when people were doing ordinary things and enjoying the first day of the school holiday.  

“I’m personally distressed by this … This is not who we are, this is not the community that we live in,” Ms Sharpe said.

“We hold in our hearts the families and the friends and those who have lost loved ones.

“We stand with those who are waiting to hear from those that have been injured.”

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