The police officer who confronted and shot dead a knifeman who killed five passers-by at a busy shopping mall, then performed CPR on the injured victims, has been hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Five shoppers have died while four others, including a nine-month-old baby, were rushed to hospital following the horrific carnage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon. A fifth victim has since died in hospital.
A senior police detective who arrived at the scene minutes later risked her own life by confronting the knife alone on the top floor of the shopping center.
She shot the attacker dead as he turned towards her and raised his knife.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said of the officer: “She is doing well in the circumstances. She will need to be interviewed formally. She has everything she needs. She was the first police officer on scene.
“He is a very high-ranking officer.”
The police officer (pictured holding the knife) was hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The attacker was seen running around the mall with a knife in his hand.
Map showing the location of the attack in Sydney
The officer then performed CPR on the man and, when she was unable to revive him, rushed to the aid of injured bystanders lying outside a nearby store where she performed more CPR.
The hero officer is a New South Wales Police Inspector.
“She engaged immediately upon arrival on scene,” Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters.
“The officer was guided to the location of the offender by people who were in the center, and she took the action she did, saving the lives of many people.”
Shocked bystanders recalled the officer’s heroic actions.
“All she said was, ‘Put it down.’ Just once,” Jason Dixon told reporters.
“Then she shot him in the chest and he fell.
“Then when he fell to the ground, she administered CPR to him. »
Hussein Osseili described how he was in Westfield with his six-year-old sister and grandmother when he heard gunshots and immediately knew what they were.
“I just thought I had to get my family to safety. I told them to leave,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“Then I saw a man with a large hunting knife about 30cm long on the escalator outside Woolies.
“He went to PST Zara and KMart, he was waving the knife and stabbing people. He went to level 5 and then I heard more police shots. Fortunately, my family is safe.
The stabbing happened at Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre, which was closed shortly before 4pm on Saturday.
Police and paramedics attended the scene earlier today.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission initiated a critical incident that was triggered by the officer’s courageous actions.
“The NSWPF is investigating the circumstances of the incident and this investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command,” a statement said.
Mr Albanese held an early press conference in Canberra to address the tragedy on Saturday evening, where he highlighted the courage of the police officer who brought down the knifeman.
“She entered alone into the procedure that was taking place, obviously very dangerous,” she said.
“She’s definitely a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her actions.
“Today we remember that those who wear a uniform are people who rushed toward danger, not away from it.”
Police have not identified the attacker but believe he acted alone. They did not rule out terrorism.
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