Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing: Everything we know about crazed killer who stabbed six to death in busy shopping centre
The man who fatally stabbed six shoppers before being shot dead by a heroic officer in a busy shopping center was known to police.
Five women and a man were killed in the terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday by the man who acted alone in what appears to be a random attack.
Eight others were taken to hospital with stab wounds, including a nine-month-old baby.
A female police inspector single-handedly confronted and shot dead the knifeman, who was wearing an Australian Kangaroos rugby league jersey.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealed on Saturday evening that the bearded, dark-haired man, 40, was known to police.
Police have yet to formally identify the 40-year-old man who stabbed six people to death before being shot dead
The incident has been ruled out because it is related to terrorism. Pictured is NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb addressing the media
“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 Ash Good, whose baby was also injured.
Eight others are in hospital under various conditions.
The shopping center is closed and remains closed on Sundays.
Witnesses say the dark-haired, bearded man targeted shoppers as he rampaged through downtown.
Police have confirmed that the 40 was known to police
Shocked bystanders recalled the officer’s heroic actions.
“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.’
Westfield Bondi Junction was closed following the incident and is expected to remain closed for several days
Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid was also among the bystanders who rushed to help the injured.
“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.’