Multiple Dead in Sydney Shopping Mall Stabbing Attack

At least five people have been killed during an attack at a shopping mall in Sydney, Australia with multiple reported stabbings. Nine people may have been stabbed in total.

The suspected attacker was reportedly shot dead by a police officer. The Australian police force has assured the public there is “no continuing threat” and the attacker “acted alone.”

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex, where the stabbing attack took place. The area remains locked down, and the authorities have urged people to avoid the area.

Australian authorities respond to Sydney stabbing attack

The Australian police force reported that a lone unit officer in close proximity to the scene took responsibility for disarming and shooting the suspected attacker.

“She confronted the offender who had moved by this stage to level 5,” Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke, told journalists this morning.

“As she continued to walk quickly behind him to catch up with him, he turned, faced her, raised a knife. She discharged a firearm, and that person is now deceased,” he added.

“She is certainly a hero,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in praise of the police officer who confronted the attack. “There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action. And it is a reminder that those people who wear uniform are people who rush to danger, not away from it. And I give thanks to every, every one of them, for the actions that they’ve taken up to now and the actions that they will take over the coming days, which will be a difficult period as well. Thank you.”

Cooke was asked whether the police had identified any motivations for the attack, but he responded that they were still conducting their investigation.

In recent years, terror attacks have increasingly involved the use of crude weapons, such as knives or even vehicles. However, it is important to stress that the motive behind the attack is not yet known, so it cannot be confirmed or denied whether this was an act of terrorism.

Eyewitness accounts

Some eyewitness accounts of the fatal stabbing attack in Sydney have already been shared by international media outlets.

Johnny, a 33-year-old man who was visiting the area from  New South Wales Central Coast, witnessed the attack from within the shopping center. He heard a disturbance and turned to see a woman and her baby being assaulted.

“She was getting stabbed. Everyone was in shock [and] didn’t know what to do,” he said. Johnny also described seeing what he thought was a body on the floor.

The wounded woman was able to rush towards a nearby Tommy Hilfiger, locking the doors shut behind her when she got inside.

“Some of the other shoppers were using clothing and things to try and…stop the bleeding,” the witness said. “The lady was pretty bad…there was a lot of blood and she was panicking…hopefully, she pulls through.”