At least six victims have died after being frantically stabbed by a knife in a Sydney shopping centre.
Thousands of shoppers were left locked in store shelves as the killer ran around Westfield Bondi Junction slashing at random victims on Saturday, including a baby.
The horrific incident unfolded at around 3.20pm when a man wearing a Kangaroos rugby league shirt stabbed up to nine people, including a baby, before being shot dead by heroic police.
It is understood that at least two people were attacked inside the Chanel boutique, near the makeup and fragrance counter.
The rampage continued at the shopping center with horror footage showing terrified shoppers running for their lives as a brave father sprang into action to defend his family as the deranged killer closed in.
Within minutes, social media exploded with terrifying witness accounts, as police, including law enforcement and riot officers, swarmed the eastern suburbs shopping centre, evacuated and locked down the premises.
A video shared by a passerby showed the alleged attacker chasing a group of shoppers before a man turned to look at him.
Shoppers trapped inside the complex sent frantic messages to their loved ones to let them know they were safe.
A woman warned others not to approach Westfield while the alleged attacker was still at large.
Shoppers run through Bondi Junction as police close the center following reports of a major incident.
Shoppers were evacuated to warehouses to escape the killer.
Gruesome images of the knife’s aftermath show victims lying in pools of blood.
Shoppers and retail workers caught in the chaos provided first aid before police and paramedics arrived and took the victims to hospital.
All available ambulances were called to the scene.
Heartbreaking footage shows the moment a shopper at the top of an escalator, armed with a bollard, tried to stop the killer.
The victims of the attack were left lying in the shopping center as police worked to stop the attack.
Blood stains seen inside a store in the shopping center
Four people have reportedly been stabbed, one fatally, and a man shot dead by police at Bondi’s Westfield shopping center in Sydney.
Tactical police prepare to assault the shopping center
Tactical police appear in the photo with long weapons.
In the image, paramedics carry a victim to an ambulance.
A victim is seen being placed in an ambulance.
Traumatized shoppers, many young families, recounted the horrific attack.
A young woman was visibly distressed by what had happened.
“It was the worst thing that ever happened,” he told reporters.
‘Who does that to people?’
He said he saw a woman lying in Chanel and was believed to have been murdered.
“I thought I was going to die,” he said.
During a dramatic live crossover on 9News, a witness interrupted and pointed at his brother, saying: “He’s a hero, he saved the baby.”
The clearly shaken hero said he used clothes from a store to try to stop the baby’s bleeding.
“The baby was stabbed and, yes, the mother was stabbed,” he said.
“The mother came up with the baby and threw it at me.
“I just helped by holding the baby… and trying to compress him.”
The brothers stayed with the mother and called emergency services.
“(It was) very bad… a lot of blood on the floor… I hope the baby is okay,” the other brother said.
The injured mother had blood coming out of her mouth, he said.
It is understood the baby is undergoing surgery and the mother is in a critical condition in hospital.
The baby who was among the nine stabbing victims is pictured being transported in an ambulance.
Among the first attacked were supposedly a woman and her baby (not shown in the photo)
Police are attending the scene in large numbers and the Australian Federal Police is now in contact with the New South Wales Police in case a joint counter-terrorism team is required.
Witnesses recalled hearing “blood-curdling screams” coming from inside the mall.
The ordeal finally came to an end when heroic police swung into action.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Anthony Cooke said as the man walked through the centre, witnesses pointed an inspector in his direction.
‘She confronted the offender who had gone from this stage to level five. As she continued to walk quickly behind him to catch up,” she said.
He turned, looked at her, and raised a knife. “She fired a firearm and that person has already died.”
It is understood that after shooting the man to death with a knife, he rushed to provide CPR to one of his victims.
The ordeal finally came to an end when heroic police swung into action and shot the killer dead (scene pictured).
Police who defeated killer hailed as heroes
Terrified shoppers are evacuated from the mall.
The photo shows buyers after being evacuated from the place.
The photo shows an officer placing police tape.
A stunning video from a father illustrates how traumatic the scene was.
He was seen escorting his two children away from Bondi Junction Westfield with his son and daughter wearing masks to protect them from the horror.
He held both children close to him as he calmly walked away from the mall.
The mall is expected to remain closed for days, even cars in the parking lot will remain during that time, and forensic investigators are thoroughly combing the scene for evidence.
Woman cries as she leaves Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center with her family
Emergency vehicles flooded the Bondi area following the attack.