An unknown man stabbed nine people at the Westfield shopping center in Bondi Junction, which is in the city’s eastern suburbs. The policeman shot him when he turned around and raised his knife. Five victims and the suspect have died, New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Cooke said. He did not provide any detailed information about the condition of the injured.
Cooke said he believed the suspect acted alone and was “glad there is no ongoing threat.” He added that the officers did not know who the perpetrator was. “It’s quite a new case,” he said, and a “long and thorough” investigation is just beginning.
He said there was “nothing at the scene to indicate motivation or ideology.” Asked whether officials ruled out terrorism, he replied: “We don’t rule out anything.”
A spokesman for the New South Wales Ambulance Service told Reuters that eight people, including one child, were taken from the shopping center to hospital. In turn, the state-owned ABC television reported that people were still trapped inside.
Crowds fleeing the mall
Posts appeared on social media showing crowds fleeing the mall and police cars and emergency services appearing in the area.