Westfield massacre live updates: Everything we know about crazed killer who stabbed five women and one man to death in busy shopping centre – as police prepare to give press conference at 8.30am
The man who fatally stabbed six shoppers before being shot dead by a heroic officer in a busy shopping center was known to police.
Eight others were taken to hospital with stab wounds, including a nine-month-old baby.
N.S.W Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealed on Saturday evening that the bearded, dark-haired man, 40, was known to police.
“We are waiting for him to be formally identified and we cannot speculate on his identification yet,” she said.
“But I can assure you that we are confident that there is no lasting risk and that we are dealing with one person who has now passed away.”
Police have yet to establish a motive, but a terrorism incident has been ruled out.
“We know something about this individual, but we are awaiting confirmation of his identification,” Commissioner Webb said.
“And if it is indeed the person we think it is, we don’t have to fear that person with an idea.
“In other words: that it is not a terrorism incident.”
Six shoppers were stabbed to death, including 38-year-old mother Dr. Ash Good, whose nine-month-old daughter was also injured.
Eight others are in hospital under various conditions.
The shopping center is closed and remains closed on Sundays.
Witnesses say the crazed attacker struck shoppers with his 12-inch hunting knife as he went on a wild rampage through the centre.
He died in a hail of gunfire after being shot by the lone female police inspector who ran through the mall to confront him and stop his murderous rampage.
“All she said was ‘put it down.’ Just once,” said witness Jason Dixon.
“Then she shot him in the chest and he fell.
“When he fell to the ground, she was resuscitating him.”
Hussein Osseili described how he was at the mall with his six-year-old sister and grandmother when he heard gunshots and immediately knew what they were.
‘I just thought I had to get my family to safety. I told them to leave,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Then on the escalator in front of Woolies I saw a man with a large hunting knife about a foot long.
‘He went past Zara and Kmart, he waved the knife and stabbed people. He went to level five and then I heard more gunshots from the police. Luckily my family is all safe.’
“There was a lady… and there was blood everywhere,” Reid told Nine News.
“I realized I had to help, because that’s what we as lifeguards are trained to do.”
He and two other members of the public administered first aid to the woman, along with police officers.
“I’ve never seen so much blood…We were just looking for wounds and trying to stop the bleeding,” Reid said.
“When I looked up there were just multiple victims, about 50 yards apart. The lady next to us was in very bad shape; there were others who were working on her.’