The police officer who confronted and shot dead a man who killed five pedestrians in a busy shopping center and 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 terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon. A fifth victim has since 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.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said of the officer: “In the circumstances she is fine.” She will have to be formally interviewed. She has everything she needs. She was the first officer to arrive at the scene.
“She is a very high-ranking officer.”
The police officer (pictured holding the man he stabbed) has been hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The attacker was seen running through the shopping center with a knife in his hand.
Map showing location of attack in Sydney
The officer then performed CPR on the man and, when she was unable to revive him, ran to the aid of injured bystanders lying outside a nearby store, where she performed more CPR.
The hero officer is an inspector with the New South Wales Police.
“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.
‘All 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.”
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 Daily Mail 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.”
The stabbing occurred at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre, which closed shortly before 4pm on Saturday.
Police and ambulance personnel attended the scene today
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.
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 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.”
Police have not identified the attacker but believe he acted alone. They have not ruled out terrorism.