what we know about the stabbing that left at least six dead at a Sydney shopping center

A knife attack took place on Saturday in the heart of a shopping center in Sydney, one of Australia’s largest cities. Eight injured people were hospitalized, including a nine-month-old baby.

A movement of panic, people fleeing for shelter. On Saturday April 13, an assailant attacked passers-by with a knife in a crowded shopping center in Sydney, Australia’s economic capital, killing at least six people. “This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeting innocent people on an ordinary Saturday while they were out shopping.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Saturday during a press conference broadcast by ABC News. Franceinfo takes stock of what we know about this attack.

An attack carried out in a shopping center

The scene took place in the Westfield center in Bondi Junction, south-east of Sydney, “a little before 4 p.m.”, traced local police on Facebook. At that time, the complex was crowded. “Emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center following reports of several people stabbed”, she clarified. The police then called on the population to avoid the area.

On video surveillance images broadcast by Australian media, we see a man with a large knife running in the shopping center, and injured people lying on the ground. Other videos circulating on social media show bystanders trying to confront the attacker, who was eventually shot dead by police.

“It was scary, there were people crying”, Pranjul Bokaria, who was shopping, told AFP. She took refuge in a nearby store, before escaping through a fire exit onto the street, with other customers and employees. Another client, Reece Colmenares, was on her way to the gym when she saw “people running and screaming” that someone had been stabbed. She took refuge in a hardware store with around ten people. “It’s scary, there were small children, elderly people and people in wheelchairs”she reported.

At least six dead, a baby among the injured

Six victims died, including one in hospital. There were five women and one man, according to New South Wales state police chief Karen Webb. Among the injured, eight were hospitalized, including a nine-month-old baby, for emergency surgery. It is too early to know the infant’s condition, she said. “They all have traumatic injuries”according to the spokesperson for the New South Wales state emergency services.

The suspect was shot dead by a police officer

The attacker was chased and shot dead by a female police officer nearby. “She was walking quickly behind him to catch up, when he turned to face her. He brandished his knife, so she opened fire. The attacker died.”explained to AFP Anthony Cooke, deputy police commissioner of the state of New South Wales.

The officer was praised for her bravery. “She is certainly a hero. She has undoubtedly saved lives by doing so”said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who also praised the courage of the passers-by who helped each other.

The identification of the attacker is in progress

The attacker has not yet been formally identified, nor the motive for the attack specified. According to the police, however, the assailant appears to be “a 40 year old man” already known to the police and the courts. Karen Webb toned down speculation that the attack could have been an act of terrorism and stressed that the attacker appeared to have acted alone. “If this is the person we are thinking of, then this is not a terrorism-related incident,” did she say.

Anthony Cooke, deputy commissioner of the state police, said the “terrorist” trail could not be ruled out at this stage. “I don’t yet know who he is. You will understand that this is a very complex case. The investigations are very recent and we continue to try to identify the culprit”he added.

British royal family pays tribute to victims

Words of support for the victims were spoken around the world. King Charles III, British sovereign and head of state of Australia, said in a statement on Saturday “horrified” by this attack, adding that his “Thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who were brutally killed in this senseless attack”. Prince William and Princess Kate said “shocked and saddened” in a message published on social networks, paying tribute to the “heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others”.

Pope Francis was “deeply saddened” And “transmits its spiritual solidarity to all those affected by this senseless tragedy”the Vatican announced on Saturday.