Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the attack which killed six people at a Sydney shopping centre on Saturday afternoon “beyond words or understanding”.
He said Australians will be “shocked” at the attack at Westfield Bondi Junction by a man with a knife, who was shot dead by a police officer just after 3pm.
“This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeted at innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping,” he said.
The first thoughts of all Australians are with the victims of these terrible acts and their loved ones.
“Our nation offers our deepest condolences and sympathies to all those who are grieving for someone they have lost and we send our strength to those who have been injured.”
He praised the health workers caring for the eight people – including a baby – who were rushed to hospital.
The officer who shot him was also seen in videos on social media administering CPR to those who had been injured. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the officer a hero who “no doubt saved lives.”
The suspect encountered nine people after he entered the mall at 3:10 pm local time, according to police. He left and reentered the mall at 3:20 pm before carrying out his attack.
‘Pandemonium’
Videos shared on social media show shoppers running from multiple exits of the shopping center, while police helicopters can be heard overhead.
