Six people were killed and several others injured in a stabbing on Saturday afternoon at a crowded major shopping mall in Sydney, an act of mass violence rarely seen in Australia.
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 around to face her and raised his weapon. Anthony Cooke, assistant police commissioner with New South Wales Police, said the officer then opened fire, saving many lives.
Assistant Commissioner Cooke said the man stabbed about nine people while moving through the mall on Saturday afternoon. Emergency responders said eight people were transported to area hospitals. He said some of the injured were in critical condition, including a young child.
He said the attacker acted alone and there were no further threats.
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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.
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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.
