Six people were killed and several others injured in a violent attack at a crowded shopping mall in Sydney on Saturday afternoon. This is a rare incident of gang violence in Australia.
Police said the gunman was shot and killed by a lone police officer who was led into the mall by people fleeing the scene. Police say the officer chased the man with the knife and was trying to catch up to him when the man turned toward the woman and raised his weapon. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Anthony Cook told a news conference that officers then opened fire, saving lives.
Deputy Chief Cook said the man stabbed about nine people as he moved through the mall on Saturday afternoon. Emergency crews said eight people were taken to area hospitals. Some of the injured, including young children, are said to be in serious condition.
The attacker is acting alone and there is no ongoing threat.
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Police said the attacker's motive was unknown, but there was no immediate indication it was a hate crime.
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The attack took place in Bondi Junction, a busy area in Sydney's eastern suburbs near the coast.
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Multiple reports of stabbings began coming in from people in the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall just after 3.30pm.
damien cave Contributed to the report.