A mom who tragically died as a result of the senseless Sydney shopping center stabbing rampage has been identified.
Witnesses have also spoken out about how the mother fought heroically to try and ensure her baby survived.
On Saturday afternoon (April 13), at approximately 3:10PM, a knifeman entered the Westfield's Bondi Junction mall in Sydney and began attacking shoppers on multiple floors - seemingly at random.
NSW Police have confirmed that the attacks resulted in six shoppers losing their lives. Numerous others sustained injuries and are currently being treated in hospitals across the city.
The assailant's spree was brought to an end by a lone heroic police officer, who confronted and fatally shot the attacker.
A mother who succumbed to her injuries as a result of the attack has been identified as Ash Good.
The 38-year-old passed away at a hospital on Saturday evening.
Per The Telegraph, Good had been shopping at the mall while carrying her nine-month-old baby. She and her baby were reportedly the first to be targeted by the assailant, as she fought to shield her child from the attack.
Reports indicate that her nine-month-old baby daughter, who also sustained stab wounds in the incident, is currently hospitalized.
Good, described as an experienced osteopath, was walking through the shopping center when the knifeman targeted her baby in the stroller before turning the weapon on her.
Eyewitnesses recounted Good's desperate attempt to save her daughter's life by entrusting her baby to strangers. "She handed us the baby and said ‘Please help, help’," one witness told Channel Nine at the scene. "She was bleeding from her head, her face … the baby was bleeding."
In a video interview with Channel Nine, two brothers recounted their harrowing experience at the mall during the tragic incident. They described the mother, badly injured and carrying her baby, running towards them for help.
Reacting swiftly, the brothers took the baby into their arms and sought refuge in a nearby store. There, they improvised makeshift bandages using clothing from the racks to stem the flow of blood from the wounds.
One brother described the injuries as "very bad," noting the significant amount of blood on the floor. However, he expressed hope for the baby's recovery, attributing it to his brother's quick actions.
Sadly, the situation took a turn for the worse as the mother's condition deteriorated rapidly. "The mother, unfortunately ... she started to have a lot of blood coming out of her mouth," one of the brothers recounted with sorrow.
The mother was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition, but tragically succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. Meanwhile, her daughter continues to undergo surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital, where she remains in serious condition, New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb has said.
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 victims' loved ones and the people of Sydney at this time.
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