King Charles III has issued a statement after six people were killed in a horrific stabbing spree at a Sydney shopping center.
The incident, which occurred earlier today (April 13) at the Westfield Bondi Junction Center in Sydney, saw a 40-year-old male launch a horrific stabbing spree that left six dead and others injured including a nine-month-old baby who is currently receiving treatment.
Anthony Cooke, the assistant commissioner of New South Wales Police, recalled what happened in further detail as per a report by the Independent.
"A man walked into Westfield at Bondi Junction, he left the center very shortly after and returned... as he moved through the center he engaged with about nine people," Cooke said. "It is clear that during that engagement he caused harm to those people, we believe by stabbing them with a weapon he was carrying."
He then stated that the police were called to the scene, with "a single unit officer, an inspector of police," who "was nearby" ending the assailant's rampage.
"She confronted the offender who had moved, by this stage, to level five," Cooke continued. "As she continued to walk quickly behind to catch up with him he turned to face her, raised a knife, she discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased."
An investigation into the matter has now been launched but police have confirmed that the attacker was said to be "acting alone" and this is not deemed to be a "terror-related" incident.
In the wake of the tragedy, King Charles III has released a statement.
"My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi," King Charles III said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace. "Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack."
"While details of these shocking circumstances are still emerging, our thoughts are also with those who were involved in the response, and we give thanks for the bravery of the first responders and emergency services," the King added.
Prior to the release of the King's statement, his son and heir to the throne, Prince William, and his wife, Princess Catherine, said they were "shocked and saddened" by the news of the horrific stabbings.
"Our thoughts are with all those affected, including the loved ones of those lost and the heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others. W & C," the Prince and Princess of Wales said in a post on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.
What we know about the Bondi shopping mall attacks
The devastating incident at a shopping center in Sydney saw a knife-wielding assailant claim the lives of six individuals and left several others injured.
Among the wounded is a nine-month-old child who underwent surgery following the attack.
Tragically, four women and a man lost their lives at the shopping center, with another woman succumbing to her injuries later in hospital, as confirmed by police authorities.
The knifeman's rampage came to an end when he was confronted by a lone police officer, who ultimately shot him dead. Reports suggest that when challenged, the attacker raised the knife at the officer, prompting the fatal response.
Identified as a 40-year-old man known to law enforcement, authorities have stated that they do not believe the attack was motivated by terrorism.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the bravery of the police officer who confronted and neutralized the attacker, labeling her actions as "heroic". He emphasized that her swift intervention undoubtedly saved lives during the harrowing ordeal.
Emergency services were alerted to the unfolding crisis at Westfield Bondi Junction shortly after 3:30PM local time, mobilizing a rapid response to the scene of the horrific attack.
As investigations continue, the shopping center remains shuttered, cordoned off as a crime scene. Updates from law enforcement are anticipated later this evening at 8:30PM.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the loved ones of the victims of this senseless tragedy and the people of Sydney.
