Six individuals were reported to be dead following an incident on Saturday afternoon, where a man entered a mall in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and began randomly shooting and stabbing people, local media reported.
The casualty count from the incident at Bondi Junction’s Westfield shopping center could rise, as eight individuals, including a child, were swiftly transported to hospitals in Sydney. However, their conditions have not been disclosed yet, The Sydney Morning Herald said.
Around 4 pm local time, chaos unfolded within the busy shopping complex, with reports of multiple stabbings. Witnesses recounted scenes of sheer terror as a man, reportedly armed with a knife, caused mayhem, leaving bystanders in a state of shock and confusion.
“We didn’t really know where to go. We tried to go back in the other building but there were people running down that direction,” recounted Hannah Bodrozic, who was shopping in Country Road at the time. “Then we heard three gunshots and everyone just started screaming.”
Heavily armed tactical operations police quickly arrived at the scene.
“Heavily armed tactical operations police responded and shot a male offender,” as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Police responded to reports of multiple people stabbed at Bondi Westfield just before 4 pm,” reported authorities.
Harrowing eyewitness testimonies depict scenes of pandemonium within the shopping center as terrified shoppers frantically sought safety. The sudden burst of violence shattered the tranquility of the bustling retail hub, leaving numerous individuals traumatized and overwhelmed by the experience.
“You’d never expect something like this in Sydney,” stated Guy Johnston, who saw the chaos erupt, according to local media reports.
The extensive nature of the incident has triggered a substantial law enforcement reaction, with officers from multiple commands converging on the scene to secure the area and initiate a comprehensive investigation, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.