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Sydney stabbing: Seven killed including suspect in horror incident at Bondi Junction shopping centre

Rhianna MitchellThe West Australian
A major incident is unfolding at Sydney’s Bondi Junction amid reports of multiple stabbings and a possible shooting.
Camera IconA major incident is unfolding at Sydney’s Bondi Junction amid reports of multiple stabbings and a possible shooting. Credit: 7NEWS

UPDATE: The number of people killed in Saturday’s shocking stab rampage has risen to seven, including the attacker.

It is understood a 38-year-old woman, believed to be the mother of the young baby who was stabbed several times, has died in hospital.

NSW Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke spoke to the media this afternoon to confirm a man acting alone attacked a number of people with a knife. Six people were killed by the man, who was shot dead by a female police officer.

He said there was no continuing threat to the public. When asked if the attack was terror related he said: “We are not ruling anything out.” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said police had not identified the attacker.

“This is quite raw, inquiries are very new and we are continuing to make attempts to identify the offender in this matter.”

The female officer who was near the shopping centre was guided to the attacker and saved a number of lives by fatally shooting the offender.

The man was running around the shopping centre armed with a large knife, before being shot by a female police officer.

He was wearing a Kangaroos jersey, from the Australian rugby team.

Dozens of police cars and ambulances rushed to the scene on Saturday afternoon while police helicopters circled overhead.

It is understood every police and paramedic resource in the vicinity has been deployed to the area.

Video footage from evacuees shows shoppers running across the glass bridge connecting the mammoth shopping centre as some hid for more than an hour inside.

A man was reportedly running around the shopping centre armed with a large knife, before being shot by a police officer.
Camera IconA man was reportedly running around the shopping centre armed with a large knife, before being shot by a police officer. Credit: @worstcontrarian/X/supplied
It is understood every police and paramedic resource in the vicinity has been deployed to the area.
Camera IconIt is understood every police and paramedic resource in the vicinity has been deployed to the area. Credit: @JewishAussie/X/supplied

In a statement, NSW Police confirmed a man had been shot.

“A critical incident has commenced following the shooting of a male at Bondi Junction,” they said.

“Just before 4pm, emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction following reports of multiple people stabbed.”

At this stage, it’s unknown whether the four victims are dead or injured, or the condition of the perpetrator.

People are urged to avoid the area.

A man claimed he was forced to come to the rescue after a baby and its mother were stabbed.

A police operation is underway at one of Sydney’s busiest shopping centre on reports of multiple stabbings. supplied
Camera IconA police operation is underway at one of Sydney’s busiest shopping centre on reports of multiple stabbings. supplied Credit: supplied/supplied
SW Police confirmed in a statement that a ‘critical incident’ had commenced following the shooting of a male at Bondi Junction.
Camera IconSW Police confirmed in a statement that a ‘critical incident’ had commenced following the shooting of a male at Bondi Junction. Credit: X formerly Twitter/X formerly Twitter

“The mum came over with the baby and threw it at me, and I was just holding the baby,” the unnamed man told 9News.

“I just helped out, just holding the baby and trying to compress the blood from stopping and calling ambulance and police.

“There was a lot of blood on the floor.”

He recounted seeing a man run up to the woman with the baby.

“We just kept yelling out to get some clothes to help us compress and stop the baby bleeding,” he said.

“I think the baby is fine.”

He said he didn’t believe the mother was in a good state.

There are reports that at least four people have been killed in the terrifying ordeal, with early investigations suggesting it was a random attack. 
Camera IconThere are reports that at least four people have been killed in the terrifying ordeal, with early investigations suggesting it was a random attack.  Credit: @greekcitytimes/X/supplied
Dozens of police cars and ambulances arrived on scene on Saturday afternoon while police helicopters circled overhead.
Camera IconDozens of police cars and ambulances arrived on scene on Saturday afternoon while police helicopters circled overhead. Credit: 7NEWS/supplied

Dozens of police cars and ambulances arrived on scene on Saturday afternoon while police helicopters circled overhead.

Video footage from evacuees shows shoppers running across the glass bridge connecting the mammoth shopping centre.

Some ran out of the busy complex screaming and crying, while others locked themselves in the centre’s bathrooms.

One man reported being locked inside David Jones while all shops closed their gates.

Shoppers quickly took to X to share their experiences.

“Something just went down at Westfields Bondi junction. We were up there and all of a sudden all these people running towards us. Next thing dozens and dozens of people all running a screaming some bloke yells ’someone is stabbing everyone get out of here’,” user Ted Helliar wrote.

Witnesses posted on X that hundreds of shoppers were hiding in the back of the David Jones department store, which had pulled down its shutters after reports that a gunman was loose.

NSW Police confirmed in a statement that a “critical incident” had commenced following the shooting of a male at Bondi Junction.

Waverley Council posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a police operation was currently underway in the area.

“The centre is locked down amid reports of multiple stabbings. No further information is available at this stage. Please avoid any unnecessary travel to the Bondi Junction CBD.”

One witness wrote on X: “I don’t know what to say. The scale of this incident is insane.”

More to come.

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