Australians have called for the heroic policewoman who confronted and shot dead a man who killed six people in a shopping center to be awarded the Order of Australia medal.
NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott has been hailed as a hero and praised for her bravery after she stopped the terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon.
As the first officer to arrive at the scene, Inspector Scott ran through the upper level of the shopping complex and risked his life when he confronted the man who also injured eight other people.
She shot the attacker, who was wearing a green rugby shirt, killing him when he turned towards her and raised his knife.
The senior police officer then performed CPR on the killer and the other victims who were lying on the ground while waiting for backup to arrive.
Inspector Amy Scott (second from left) was recognized for her bravery while posted as a sergeant in 2019.
She has been hailed as a hero and praised for her bravery after she stopped the terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon.
As the first officer to arrive at the scene, Inspector Scott ran through the upper level of the shopping complex and risked his life when he confronted the man who also injured eight other people.
In 2019, she was recognized at the Rotary Club’s Police Officer of the Year awards ceremony and received the award for Demonstrated Courage and Devotion to Duty.
Footage shows her smiling alongside other police officers as she holds her award.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has said Inspector Scott is “doing well in the circumstances”.
She will be formally interviewed as part of the investigation into the deadly stabbings.
It was today revealed that the 40-year-old knife-wielding man shot dead by Inspector Scott was “known to police”.
Among the victims was 38-year-old new mother Ash Good, who was attacked along with her nine-month-old baby Harriet.
The baby, who suffered stab wounds, is fighting for her life after being rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.
Inspector Scott raced across Westfield Bondi Junction to confront the killer alone.
She confronted the knife killer alone on the top level of the mall and shot him dead.
Ash Good, 38, was among six shoppers in Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield who were killed today when a man, 40, wearing a rugby league shirt, stabbed him at 3.20pm before a policewoman shot him dead.
A new mother stabbed to death in the Sydney shopping center knife attack has been photographed for the first time. Just hours before the horror unfolded, Good posted a photo on Instagram holding her daughter Harriet.
Just hours before the horror unfolded, Good posted a photo on Instagram holding her daughter.
“Only because I was walking by and happened to be wearing the same thing 9 months ago vs 9 months later, etc., etc.,” the caption read.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prince and Princess of Wales have led the flood of praise for Inspector Scott’s actions.
She has also been hailed as a national hero online: “She was absolutely fearless, brave and amazing.” How many lives did she save today? Brave’.
Another added: ‘Absolute legend. He happened to be nearby and was the first to arrive on the scene. I didn’t even doubt it.
A third wrote: ‘She did what she had to do in that situation. No fucking around or pleasing a murderer. “We need more police like this.”
A quarter touted her as a possible candidate for Australian of the Year, while others called for her to receive a bravery award.
Some also noted that he had little protection.
The attacker was seen running through the shopping center with a knife in his hand, moments before he was shot dead by a police officer.
Man who killed five women and a man during rampage in Sydney today was ‘known to police’
‘No vest, no protective equipment, no backup? No problems,” one wrote.
Others expressed concern for the officer’s well-being.
‘While you use words like ‘hero’, remember, taking her life will change hers too. Heroes can be victims too, let’s hope she gets all the support she needs,” one commented.
Commissioner Webb revealed that she spoke to Inspector Scott after the tragedy.
“He showed enormous courage and bravery, and he will obviously prosecute,” Commissioner Webb said.
“She will need to be formally interviewed and that’s why we just talked about her being fine and her family being fine.”
“She has everything she needs at the moment and will be formally interviewed tomorrow.”
Deputy Commissioner Anthony Cooke previously said the police officer was immediately confronted upon arrival at the scene.
“The agent was guided to the criminal’s location by people who were in the center, and she took the measures she took, saving the lives of several people,” he said.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos also praised Inspector Scott’s bravery and paid tribute to the “everyday heroes” involved, including a bystander who confronted the killer on the escalator.
“She (the police officer) was there alone and headed towards danger,” he told Sky News UK.
‘Even [after she shot the attacker]He immediately began performing CPR – it shows the person’s dedication and incredible act of heroism – even then his main concern was someone who had fallen.
“I will be contacting the various service providers and the police to see what practical support we can offer as advice.”
Albanese held a quick press conference in Canberra to address the tragedy on Saturday night, where he also praised Inspector Scott.
“She entered alone into the process that was taking place, obviously very dangerous,” he said.
‘She is without a doubt a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives by her actions.
“Today is a reminder that the people who wear uniforms are people who ran towards danger, not away from it.”
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has initiated a critical incident for your brave actions.
“The NSWPF is investigating the circumstances of the incident and this investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command,” a statement read.
Westfield Bondi Junction is expected to remain closed for several days.