Seven people have died in a stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield, a six-level shopping centre in Sydney’s east, including the attacker, who was shot dead by police.
Police have identified the attacker as 40-year-old Queensland man Joel Cauchi.
They said the attack was not terror-related and that Cauchi had known mental health problems. He was known to police in Queensland. It is believed he came to New South Wales last month.
Five of the dead were women and one was a man, the NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, said.
Twelve people were being treated in hospital on Saturday night, including a nine-month-old baby and some with critical injuries.
The mother of the baby was among the dead, police sources said.
Police were called to the popular shopping centre at 3.30pm, following reports multiple people had been stabbed. Hundreds of people were hiding inside shops and storerooms, as a man wielding what witnesses described as a “big blade” attacked shoppers.
A lone police officer who was nearby tracked him through the centre before shooting him dead when he turned and raised his knife at her. She was later identified by police as Insp Amy Scott.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, praised Scott, saying “she is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action.”
The centre will remain closed on Sunday and a crime scene has been established.
