Chilling video footage has surfaced capturing a courageous shopper using a bollard in order to fight off the Sydney shopping mall knifeman.
Earlier today (April 13), an assailant clad in a Kangaroos jersey entered the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center at around 3:00PM.
The knifeman proceeded to attack countless shoppers inside on each level of the mall. Police and emergency services were dispatched shortly after receiving a distress call at approximately 3:30PM.
Tragically, as of this writing, it has been confirmed by NSW Police that the knifeman claimed the lives of six victims.
Authorities have also confirmed that a small child is among the "more than several people" who sustained critical or serious injuries as a result of the attacks.
Footage shown by 7News has been circulated on social media showing the moment a brave shopper - who has been dubbed "Bollard Man" on social media platforms - used a bollard in order to keep the assailant at bay and seemingly prevent him from ascending the escalator.
The heroic individual has garnered widespread acclaim for his swift actions, with journalist Josh Butler taking to X to commend the brave individual, writing: "Standing ovation for Bollard Man at the Bondi Westfield stabbing."
The assailant's spree was eventually brought to an end by a lone heroic police officer, who confronted and fatally shot the attacker.
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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