The knifeman who went on a stabbing rampage at a Sydney shopping center was stopped after being fatally shot by a lone cop.
In a heartbreaking developing story, the people of Sydney have been left mourning after a tragic stabbing rampage at the Westfield shopping center in Bondi has left six victims dead.
At this time, it is being reported that seven others continue to fight for their lives in hospitals across Sydney, with some in serious to critical conditions, including a young child.
The chaos unfolded just after 3:00PM (local time) after the knifeman entered the mall and started to attack shoppers, seemingly at random.
Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke has confirmed that although no motive has been confirmed at this time, authorities have not ruled out the attack as being an act of terrorism. However, officials say there’s "nothing that we are aware of at the scene that would indicate any motive or any ideology", per the Guardian.
As the nation awaits further details on the attacks and its victims, it has been revealed that it was one female police officer who brought an end to the knifeman's rampage.
NSW Police revealed in a statement: "At about 3:30PM, emergency services were called to Westfield in Bondi Junction, following reports multiple people had been stabbed.
"An officer attached to Eastern Suburbs police area command attended and was allegedly confronted by a man with a knife. The man allegedly lunged at the officer, before he was fatally shot.
"The officer conducted CPR until the arrival of NSW ambulance paramedics, who worked on the man; however, he could not be revived."
Additionally, Cooke told reporters: "[The officer] confronted the offender who had moved by this stage to level five [of the mall] as she continued to walk quickly behind him to catch up with him. He turned, faced her, raised a knife. She discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased."
The Daily Mail reports that the heroic officer is an inspector in the NSW Police Force.
Witnesses have also spoken out about the officer's actions, which undoubtedly prevented the further loss of lives.
"All she said was 'Put it down'. Just once," witness Jason Dixon told reporters, per the Daily Mail. "Then she shot him in the chest and he went down.
"Then when he fell on the ground she was giving him CPR."
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has described the attack as "a horrific act of violence", before going on to praise the emergency services for their response.
"All of us are thinking of the dedicated doctors, nurses and health care workers who will be working through the night to save lives and to care for their fellow Australians," Albanese said.
"Today Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence, but it was also witnessed to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians. Our police, our first responders, and of course everyday people who could never have imagined that they would face such a moment and some of the footage is quite extraordinary.
"Staff for whom there should have been a normal shift shoppers peacefully going about their lives. And yet for these Australians, their first instinct in the face of danger was to help someone else that is what we hold on to tonight."
At this time, the shopping center remains closed, and a crime scene has been established.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the victims' loved ones and the people of Sydney at this time.
.jpg_OwIBxT?tr=h-184)
