Five killed in Sydney mall stabbing spree, attacker shot dead by police

Five people and a suspect were killed in a Sydney shopping centre stabbing attack on Saturday that left multiple people, including a small child, injured, police said.

A single person began stabbing people in the mall, attacking nine people, before a police inspector shot him, Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters. Five victims died, he said.

The incident occurred at the sprawling Westfield Bondi Junction mall complex, which was packed with Saturday afternoon shoppers.

Cooke said the suspect acted alone, and there was “no continuing threat.” He said officials didn’t know who the offender was yet, and there was no indication of motivation.

“This is quite raw,” he said. Police did not rule out 'terrorism' in the attack.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the country in mourning the dead.

"Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported, and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones," he wrote on social media platform X.

The mall has been locked down and police have urged people to avoid the area.

The motive was not immediately clear.

Videos posted on social media showed many ambulances and police cars, as well as crowds of people, around the shopping centre.

Paramedics were treating patients at the scene.

Witness Roi Huberman told the ABC news channel he sheltered in a store and saw people leaving the mall in tears.

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Source: TRT