The police officer who confronted and shot dead a man who stabbed nine pedestrians in a busy shopping center and then performed CPR on the wounded 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 terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon. Since then, a sixth victim died in hospital.
A senior police inspector who arrived at the scene within minutes risked her own life by confronting the killer alone on the top level of the shopping centre.
She fatally shot the attacker when he turned toward her and raised his knife.
The officer performed CPR on the man but was unable to revive him.
He then rushed to the aid of injured and bloodied bystanders lying outside a nearby store, where he performed more CPR.
A female police inspector came to the aid of the injured victims after confronting and shooting the stabbing man.
“She was immediately engaged upon arriving at the scene,” Deputy Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters.
“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.”
Shocked spectators remembered the officer’s heroic actions.
“The only thing he said was ‘Leave it.’ Just once,” Jason Dixon told reporters.
Then she shot him in the chest and he fell.
“Then when he fell to the ground, she was giving him CPR.”
The police officer (pictured holding the man he stabbed) has been hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Hussein Osseili described how he was in Westfield with his six-year-old sister and grandmother when he heard gunshots and immediately knew what it was.
‘I just thought I had to get my family safe. I told them to leave,” he told WhatsNew2Day Australia.
‘Then I saw a man with a large hunting knife, about 30cm long, on the escalator in front of Woolies.
‘It was PST Zara and KMart, he was brandishing the knife and stabbing people. It went to level 5 and then I heard more police shots. Luckily, my whole family is safe.”
Albanese held a quick press conference in Canberra to address the tragedy on Saturday night, where he highlighted the bravery of the police officer who shot dead the killer.
“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 he saved lives through his actions.
“Today is a reminder that the people who wear uniforms are people who ran towards danger, not away from it.”
The inspector confronted the murderer alone on the top floor of the shopping center and shot him dead.
“Today at Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence, but it also witnessed the humanity and heroism of our fellow Australians, our brave police, our first responders and of course ordinary people who would never have imagined they would face such a moment.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb is expected to address the media later on Saturday night.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has released a critical incident about the police officer’s 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.
Hundreds of shoppers trapped in terrifying Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing