The number of people killed by a knife-wielding assailant in a Sydney shopping centre Saturday has climbed to six, police said.”One last person died at hospital,” a New South Wales police spokesman told AFP. The attacker was shot dead at the scene by a senior policewoman.
The incident occurred at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex, which was packed with Saturday afternoon shoppers. The motive was not immediately clear, but Cooke said “terrorism” could not be ruled out at this stage. “I do not know at this stage who he is. You would understand this is quite raw. Inquiries are very new and we are continuing to make attempts to identify the offender in this matter,” said Cooke.
Security camera footage broadcast by local media showed a man wearing an Australian rugby league jersey running around the shopping centre with a large knife and injured people lying lifeless on the floor. A New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson told AFP that eight patients were taken to various hospitals across Sydney, including a young child who was taken to the city’s Children’s Hospital. “They all have traumatic injuries,” the official said.
Pranjul Bokaria had just finished up work and was doing some shopping when the stabbing occurred. She ended up running to a nearby shop and taking shelter in a break room. Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic, with shoppers scrambling to safety and police trying to secure the area. Several people took shelter in shops as they tried to protect themselves and their families.
She described a scene of “chaos”, with people running, and police swarming the area. “I am alive and grateful,” she said. Reece Colmenares was on her way to the gym when she saw “people running and screaming” past her. “It was scary, there are some people who were emotionally vulnerable and crying,” she told AFP. She escaped using an emergency exit with other shoppers and staff, which took them to a back street.
“It’s scary, there are little children and elderly and people in wheelchairs everywhere.” As night fell, dozens of police and ambulances were still outside the shopping complex, with stretchers ready to take people to nearby hospitals.
The sound of police sirens and helicopters filled the air. The mall has been locked down and police have urged people to avoid the area. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed Australians’ sadness and shock at the attack.
