A female police officer who shot a knife-wielding man at a shopping mall in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, killing six people and injuring several others, has been hailed as a “hero.”
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters that the assault occurred at around 3:30pm local time when an unidentified man attacked seemingly random people at Westfield Bondi Junction. He said it started when he launched a violent attack.
“Based on our preliminary investigation, it appears this individual acted alone,” Cook said. saidby sydney morning herald. “We are satisfied that there is no ongoing threat.”
guardian Confirmed Four women and one man died at the scene, and eight others were taken to hospital with injuries.
A 38-year-old mother and her nine-month-old baby were among those stabbed, and witnesses tried to help them by applying pressure to the bleeding wounds.
The woman later died at the hospital, but the child underwent surgery and is currently receiving treatment.
#breaking news: Live interview with the man who saved the baby who was stabbed during the Bondi Westfield attack earlier today. #9News pic.twitter.com/lM6APm05AY
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) April 13, 2024
This madness was stopped by a police officer who happened to be nearby, went inside and chased the attackers up to the fifth floor of the building. guardian report.
“He turned around, faced her, raised the knife, and the officer fired, killing the suspect,” Cook said.
The police officer shot dead a man who lunged at his attacker without backing and stabbed 15 people at Westfield Bondi Junction. She is a national hero! pic.twitter.com/73TsaMz3cp
— Floyd Taylor (@floydtaylor) April 13, 2024
This police officer is a hero. She struck back on her own, taking down the Westfield Bondi Junction attacker who left multiple people dead and injured in a stabbing rampage. Incredible courage. pic.twitter.com/nmJbCiNSsS
— Hannah Sinclair (@hansinclair9) April 13, 2024
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the officer’s courage, saying she “voluntarily” put herself in harm’s way and neutralized the threat before the officer could cause further harm.
“She’s definitely a hero. There’s no question that she saved lives,” Albanese said.
He also praised other first responders and medical workers who came to the aid of the injured, saying: The video statement said the investigation into what happened was still “ongoing.”
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 13, 2024
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, but officials said they do not believe his motive was related to terrorism.
“If it’s someone we believe in, we don’t have to fear that person has ideas,” NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told a news conference. . “That means it was not a terrorist incident. “We believe this individual acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to the community,” she added.
guardian The suspect, 40 years old, was reportedly wearing an Australian rugby league jersey and shorts.
Rebel News reported that the murdered mother, Ash Goode, and her daughter Harriet are still “fighting for their lives.”
My heart hurts.
Ash Goode was today carrying his nine-month-old baby daughter Harriet through Bondi Junction in a pram when the pair violently attacked her.
Sadly, her mother succumbed to her injuries and baby Harriet is currently fighting for her life in hospital.
Please pray for that child. pic.twitter.com/vdsj0Hl8LE
— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) April 13, 2024
