Summary
A knife attacker has killed six people and wounded several others in a shopping centre in Sydney. Eight more people have been wounded – including a nine-month-old child who has undergone surgery. Four women and a man died in the shopping centre and another woman later died in hospital, police said.
The attacker was also shot dead by police after being confronted by a lone officer. Reports said that, when challenged, he raised the knife at the officer, who shot him dead.
The attacker has been identified as a 40-year-old man who was known to police, with officers adding they do not think he was motivated by terrorism.
Members of the UK’s royal family expressed their sadness at the attack. The king said “My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack.”
The Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has praised the police officer who confronted and shot the attacker, saying “she is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action”.
Emergency services were first called to Westfield Bondi Junction following reports multiple people had been stabbed at 3.30pm (6.30am UK time).
The supervisor of a luggage store in the shopping centre said he witnessed the attacker stab a woman, and saw the bodies of four people on the ground – including two security guards.
Yohan Francois Philip, aged 29, told the PA news agency he stayed inside the store with several colleagues and customers as “a growing movement of around 50-ish” ran past, before a woman approaching the shop banged on the door and asked to be let in.
As I was letting her in, the perpetrator fell behind her with a knife and I saw him and so did the other customers in the store locked in with us and so we quickly pulled her in, locked the door, he got up and we realised he just stabbed two security guards. Then he ran across, to the corner part of the luggage store, to the premium section, and he stabbed a woman which I saw happen right in front of me.
Philips, who also works as a lawyer, added:
There was a nurse in the store who was adamant she wanted to leave and help ... she wanted to go help the security guard and I said ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen if I open this door’ but, on her decision, I let her out.
We were still locked in the store at that point and we assumed the gunshots were actually gun fights between a police officer and him – that’s not the case now, but yeah. So we waited and waited until we had further instruction. The sirens are going off at that point. We’ve got a view of the back of our store onto the public street and we saw people running out of the store and then later on we saw ambulances and cops and bodies, people being wheeled out.
As he was eventually escorted outside by police officers, he “counted four bodies” on the ground in the shopping centre and witnessed the baby that was attacked during the stabbing spree being wheeled out of the building, he said.
'Our hearts go out', says king
King Charles III has expressed his sadness at the news of the attack.
My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi.
Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack.
While details of these shocking circumstances are still emerging, our thoughts are also with those who were involved in the response, and we give thanks for the bravery of the first responders and emergency services.
Warning: This post includes graphic content.
Local police say a nine-month-old baby has undergone surgery after being attacked during the stabbing spree. It has been reported that the baby’s mother died in hospital after the attack by a lone knifeman.
The Australian website News.com.au reported the baby was stabbed in the stomach, and the mother had subsequently died in hospital.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb has told a press conference:
The last update I had was that [the baby] had been in surgery and it’s too early to say really. But it’s awful.
Asked about the reports the baby’s mother had died in hospital, Webb said: “I’ve heard that same rumour but I can’t confirm that.”
A witness to the stabbings said he helped the baby and mother after they were attacked. The man told 9News Sydney he saw the stabbings, and that the child’s mother gave him her baby as they were both injured.
The man’s brother said:
He helped with holding the baby and trying to compress the baby and same with the mother. We just kept yelling out to get some clothes, get some shirts and just help us to compress and stop the baby from bleeding. With my brother holding the baby so well and really compressing, I think the baby’s fine
We were just shopping and saw the man run up to the woman with the baby and then we were both ready to go and help out.
But I just said to my brother, we’ve got to run in – ran in, told the guys to lock up the doors and then the mother came with the baby bleeding, stabbed. We got them into the store and just got them safe and then rang for help.
Acting premier, Penny Shape, has described the Bondi Junction attack as “beyond distressing” and thanked the police for their work.
Speaking late on Saturday evening, she said:
This is not who we are. This is not the community that we live in. This is not something that any person or any member of our community should have had to experience. It’s shocking. I’m personally distressed by this, as I’m sure everybody is.
Sharpe said she had convened a crisis cabinet to brief key ministers ahead of the premier’s expected arrival back in Sydney on Sunday.
Chris Minns had arrived in Japan for a week-long holiday on Saturday evening before announcing he would return following news of the attack.
Messages of condolences have been sent from around the world.
In a social media post, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote:
We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events in Sydney earlier today. Our thoughts are with all those affected, including the loved ones of those lost and the heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others. W & C
Updated
Guardian employee recounts her escape from the scene
Guardian production editor Nikki Marshall was in the Bondi Westfield when the attack began. She recounts how she escaped the centre:
I was on the fourth floor of the David Jones department store at Bondi Junction Westfield at 3.35pm when another shopper came up behind me and said: “There’s been a stabbing, it’s happening – a shooting, stabbing – we have to go.”
I could see in her face that she had seen something, and it was real. I think she was clutching her daughter’s hand.
I headed towards the rear of the store, looking for a fire escape. I found a cupboard with a fire extinguisher in it. It was tiny and dark and I was afraid to close the door fully, so decided it didn’t give me much protection and I kept moving.
Around a corner I found a fire escape with half a dozen shoppers standing outside it. A few were saying, should we leave? I realised they’d only heard shouting and weren’t sure what was happening.
I said yes, we have to go.
Updated
Mark Speakman, leader of the NSW Opposition has released the following statement on the attack:
Tonight we are shocked and saddened by today’s tragedy at Bondi Junction. The NSW Police have advised that the situation is now under control.
Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.
The NSW Opposition expresses our gratitude to our police, health workers, other first responders and members of the public, and particularly to those who displayed extraordinary bravery in the face of tragedy.
We pray for the speedy recovery of those in hospital tonight. Now, and in the coming days and weeks, it’s important that those affected by this tragedy receive the care and support they need.
As a community we’ll need to come together to support those who have suffered injury, loss and trauma today.
Updated
What we know so far
Here’s the latest on what we know:
Six people have been killed in a stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield, a six-level shopping centre in Sydney’s east.
The attacker, a 40-year-old man who has yet to be formally identified by police, was also killed – he was shot dead by police. He is believed to have acted alone and the attack is not believed to be terrorism-related.
Police say that “more than several people” were injured in the attack shortly after 3pm on Saturday. Some have critical or serious injuries.
Among the injured is a nine-month-old baby who has undergone surgery and is being treated at hospital. Police sources have told Guardian Australia that the baby’s mother was the sixth victim of the attack and died in hospital after being stabbed.
Police were called to the popular shopping centre at 3:30pm, following reports multiple people had been stabbed. Hundreds of people were hiding inside shops and storerooms, or fleeing the shopping centre in panicked scenes, as a man wielding what witnesses described as a “big blade” attacked shoppers.
A lone police officer who was nearby tracked him through the centre before shooting him dead when he turned and raised his knife at her.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has praised the police officer who confronted and shot the attacker, saying “she is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action.”
A motive for the attack has not yet been established, with the prime minister and the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Reece Kershaw, saying it was “too early” and warning it would be “unhelpful to speculate” at this stage.
Police say they believe they know the identity of the attacker, who is a 40-year-old man, known to police. But they are waiting on formal identification and have not released his name.
Police do not believe the attack to be ideologically motivated and say they believe there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The centre remains closed, and a crime scene has been established.
Updated
Peter Dutton releases statement praising heroism of officers and first responders
The opposition leader Peter Dutton has put out a statement on social media platform X about the incident. He wrote:
Australians will be in shock this evening at the tragic and terrifying events which have taken place at Westfield Bondi Junction.
We grieve for the five people who have been killed. We pray for those who have been rushed to hospital with injuries. We are thinking of all those families whose loved ones have been caught up in this attack.
He also praised the “heroism” of police officers and first responders, “in particular, the bravery of one female officer who neutralised the assailant”. As well as the “brave shopkeepers and staff who helped shoppers shelter amidst the chaos.
We thank everyday Australians who helped each other get to safety and those who provided comfort to others in distress.
Australians will be in shock this evening at the tragic and terrifying events which have taken place at Westfield Bondi Junction.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) April 13, 2024
We grieve for the five people who have been killed.
We pray for those who have been rushed to hospital with injuries.
We are thinking of all those…
Updated
Our NSW state correspondent Tamsin Rose was at the press conference held by Karen Webb, the NSW police commissioner, that has just wrapped up. She has video of Webb’s statement.
Commissioner Karen Webb speaking about the #BondiJunction stabbing. Four women died in shopping centre, one died in hospital. One man died in the centre. Further eight in hospitals including a nine month old. pic.twitter.com/A7wPTI1uax
— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) April 13, 2024
Updated
Police confirm sixth victim was the mother of infant who is currently in hospital
Police sources have confirmed that the sixth victim – a woman who died in hospital following the stabbing attack – is the mother of the nine-month-old baby who was also a victim of the attack and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Updated
Where is Bondi Junction in Sydney?
For non-Sydneysiders, this map from the Guardian graphics team may be of assistance:
Police say there is ‘no ongoing threat to the community’
The NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, has said that while the community, like the police, may well feel “very sad about what happened here… they should have no … ongoing concerns. We believe that this person acted alone and there’s no ongoing threat to the community.”
Updated
Police commissioner praises ‘enourmous courage’ of officer who shot and killed attacker
Karen Webb, the police commissioner, has praised the “enormous courage” of the police officer who confronted the attacker and shot him, and has been asked about the officer’s wellbeing.
“She’s doing well, under the circumstances. She showed enormous courage and bravery,” said Webb. “So, we just talked about that she’s OK, her family is OK, she’s got everything she needs for the time being. She will be formally interviewed tomorrow, no doubt.”
Webb said the officer, who has not been officially named by police, is a senior officer of inspector rank and “must have been close by and was the first officer on the scene.”
Updated
Police commissioner says last update received on baby victim was they had been in surgery
The police commissioner has been asked about the nine-month-old baby who was among the stabbing victims and who is now being treated in hospital.
“The last update is that they had been in surgery. Too early to say, really. It’s awful, awful,” said Webb.
Updated
Police say attacker is 40-year-old man, and do not believe incident is terrorism-related
Police commissioner Karen Webb says that police believe they know who the attacker is, but are waiting to formally identify him.
Later this evening, we became aware of who we believe the offender is and we believe that he is a 40-year-old man. However, we are waiting to formally identify him and we cannot speak yet on his identification.
Let me assure you that we are confident that there is no ongoing risk and we are dealing with one person who is now deceased.
Webb says that the attacker – if it is the person police believe it is – was known to police, and they do not have fears that he was ideologically motivated.
We are waiting to confirm his identification and if it is the person we believe it is, we don’t have fear for that person holding an ideation. In other words, that it’s not a terrorism incident.
Updated
NSW police commissioner Karen Webb confirms five women and one man among the stabbing victims
Webb has confirmed that four women and one man died in Westfield Bondi as a result of the stabbing attack. One man died at the shopping centre. She says that one woman has since died in hospital.
She also confirms that a nine-month-old baby is among the stabbing victims and has undergone surgery.
Updated
Anthony Albanese has released this video of his statement delivered earlier.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 13, 2024
Police to hold press conference at 8:30pm
NSW police commissioner Karen Webb is due to address the media at 8:30pm from Waverley police station. Guardian Australia’s New South Wales state correspondent Tamsin Rose will be there to bring us updates.
Updated
What we know so far
Six people have died in a stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield, a six-level shopping centre in Sydney’s east, as well as the attacker who was shot dead by police.
Police say a small child is among “more than several people” injured after the knife attack shortly after 3pm on Saturday. Some have critical or serious injuries.
Police were called to the popular shopping centre at 3:30pm, following reports multiple people had been stabbed. Hundreds of people were hiding inside shops and storerooms, as a man wielding what witnesses described as a “big blade” attacked shoppers.
A lone police officer who was nearby tracked him through the centre before shooting him dead when he turned and raised his knife at her.
The attacker has not yet been identified, and a motive for the attack has not yet been established. Police believe he acted alone and that there is no continuing active threat.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has praised the police officer who confronted and shot the attacker, saying “she is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action.”
A mother and her baby has been reported as being among those treated for stab wounds.
A motive for the attack has not yet been established. With the prime minister and the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Reece Kershaw, saying it was “too early to determine a motive” and warning it would be “unhelpful to speculate” at this stage.
Police say there are “not ruling out” that the attack could be a terrorist incident, but say there’s “nothing that we are aware of at the scene that would indicate any motive or any ideology”.
The centre remains closed, and a crime scene has been established.
We’re expecting an update from police at 8:30pm.
Updated
Police release further account of incident
In a statement, police have confirmed more information about what happened to end the attack. Here is their account of the incident:
About 3.30pm… emergency services were called to Westfield in Bondi Junction, following reports multiple people had been stabbed.
An officer attached to Eastern Suburbs police area command attended and was allegedly confronted by a man with a knife. The man allegedly lunged at the officer, before he was fatally shot.
The officer conducted CPR until the arrival of NSW ambulance paramedics, who worked on the man; however, he could not be revived.
It has been confirmed the man fatally stabbed six people in the centre before he was shot.
Updated
Death toll rises to seven, including attacker
The death toll from today’s attack has increased to seven, including the attacker, police have confirmed.
The number killed by the attacker has increased to six, police have just announced in a statement.
Updated
Waverley mayor makes statement
Paula Masselos, the mayor of Waverley council (the LGA that covers Bondi Junction), has shared her “deep shock” at the incident and sent her “deepest condolences to the families of the victims”, in a post on X.
In deep shock as we continue to learn details of the critical incident that occurred at Westfield Bondi Junction at 3.30 pm Saturday. I extend Waverley Councillors / Council, our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish those injured a full recovery
— Paula Masselos (@paulamasselos) April 13, 2024
Updated
Albanese says it appears attacker acted alone but police being transparent in service of public
Asked whether Australians should be fearful about other attacks that might be related to this one, Anthony Albanese has said it appears the attacker has acted alone.
Look, it certainly is my view that we should allow this investigation to take place. It would appear, that this person has. In fact, acted alone, the motives are not known yet and speculation on that would not be helpful at this time.
But we have been clear and transparent. And I know that the NSW police as well as now the AFP, have made information available, as a priority because we understand that the Australian public will be very shocked by this event.
Our heart goes out to them.
Updated
‘She is certainly a hero’: Albanese praises courage of officer who confronted attacker
The prime minister has praised the bravery of the of the police officer who shot the attacker, saying she entered the “proceedings that were taking place, obviously very dangerous, by herself.
She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action. And it is a reminder that those people who wear [the] uniform are people who rush to danger, not away from it.
And I give thanks to every, every one of them, for the actions that they’ve taken up to now and the actions that they will take over the coming days, which will be a difficult period as well. Thank you.
Updated
‘The motive is unknown’, says PM
Reece Kershaw, the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, said it is “too early to determine a motive” and has warned it would be “unhelpful to speculate” at this stage.
Asked whether there is any information about whether this was a terrorist incident, Kershaw has said:
Having spoken with the NSW police commissioner, at this stage, it’s too early to give that assessment. However, all the agencies, the right agencies are working together to make that assessment.
Anthony Albanese has echoed this sentiment, saying:
I think the AFP commissioner has made it clear that speculation … would be unhelpful at this time, we should allow the investigators to go about their work … I’ve also had a discussion tonight with the director general of Asio. The motive at this stage is unknown and we will, of course, continue to update the Australian public as more information is known.
Updated
PM praises healthcare workers, first responders and store staff
Albanese praised healthcare workers and first responders to this event today:
And all of us are thinking of the dedicated doctors, nurses and health care workers who will be working through the night to save lives and to care for their fellow Australians.
Today Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence, but it was also witnessed to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians. Our police, our first responders, and of course everyday people who could never have imagined that they would face such a moment and some of the footage is quite extraordinary. Staff for whom there should have been a normal shift shoppers peacefully going about their lives.
And yet for these Australians, their first instinct in the face of danger was to help someone else. That is what we hold on to tonight.
Updated
PM labels attack ‘horrific act of violence’
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has labelled Saturday’s attack “a horrific act of violence”.
Albanese, speaking from Canberra, said:
The devastating scenes of Bondi Junction beyond words, or understanding, Australians will be shocked this evening.
This was a horrific act of violence indiscriminately targeted at the innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday, doing their shopping.
Albanese said the “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”.
Updated
We’re expecting the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to hold a press conference with the Australian Federal Police commissioner, Reece Kershaw, in Canberra at 7:10PM.
‘Like he was having an ice cream in the park’
Witnesses have reported seeing the attacker before he began stabbing.
At a press conference, police said they believe the attacker had been in the shopping centre, exited, and returned with a knife, before beginning his stabbing spree.
One man, speaking to the ABC, said that when the man re-entered the centre carrying the knife he was moving “really calmly”.
“He was walking like he was having an ice cream in the park,” the man said.
Updated
State opposition leader releases statement
Mark Speakman, the New South Wales opposition leader, has released the following statement:
Tonight we are shocked and saddened by today’s tragedy at Bondi Junction. The NSW police have advised that the situation is now under control.
Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.
The NSW Opposition expresses our gratitude to our police, health workers, other first responders and members of the public, and particularly to those who displayed extraordinary bravery in the face of tragedy.
We pray for the speedy recovery of those in hospital tonight.
Now, and in the coming days and weeks, it’s important that those affected by this tragedy receive the care and support they need.
As a community we’ll need to come together to support those who have suffered injury, loss and trauma today.
Updated
Where is Bondi Junction? Context for non-Sydneysiders
For those readers outside of Sydney, this attack has occurred at a large, six-level Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction in the city’s eastern suburbs.
While the eastern suburbs are traditionally home to the some of the city’s more affluent residents, Bondi Junction serves as a key shopping and transport hub for the broader area.
It’s not far from Bondi’s iconic beach, and is roughly 5km from Sydney’s main central business district.
Updated
‘We were told to keep our phones on silent and stay quiet’
We’re still hearing more stories from shoppers who were inside the Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction at the time of the stabbing attack.
One local woman, from the nearby suburb of Clovelly who asked not to be named, told Guardian Australia she was inside the Myer department store on level 2:
“I heard a scream somewhere outside. Then a voiceover throughout Myer said ‘Code Brown.’
She said “we were then told by staff that something very serious had happened in the centre”.
We had to run and hide in a location on the floor which turned out to be a storeroom. There would have been about 70 or 80 of us in there. We were told to keep our phones on silent and stay quiet. It was very hot in there.
She said “there was quite a bit of confusion throughout the hour that we were in there with some orders being to evacuate and other orders to stay put”.
At one stage we were evacuated and then told to run back inside. Staff did their best they could in the circumstances. Then we were told to evacuate and ran out of the centre.
Updated
Motive unclear, police not ruling out terrorism
Police say no clear motive has emerged in relation to the attacker who has killed five people and injured several others, including a baby.
The assistant commissioner, Anthony Cooke, said the man had been in the centre, left the shopping centre, then returned, at which point he began stabbing people in the centre.
No ideology or motive is clear.
There’s nothing that we are aware of at the scene that would indicate any motive or any ideology.
Asked by a reporter if police were ruling out terrorism, Cooke said:
We’re not ruling anything out.
Updated
Several injured taken to hospital, death toll likely to increase
The assistant commissioner, Anthony Cooke, has said “there are more than several other people who have been conveyed to hospital”.
Guardian Australia understands the death toll is likely to increase.
Updated
Attacker 'acted alone', 'no continuing threat'
Anthony Cooke has said:
“From preliminary inquiries, it would appear that this person has acted alone. I am content that there is no continuing threat.”
Updated
Six dead, including attacker
The police assistant commissioner, Anthony Cooke, is providing an update at a press conference.
Cooke confirms the attacker was shot dead by a nearby police officer who was on her own.
“She confronted the offender who had moved by this stage to level five [of the mall] as she continued to walk quickly behind him to catch up with him. He turned, faced her, raised a knife. She discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased.”
He added:
“I’m advised that there are five victims who are now deceased as a result of the actions of this offender.”
Updated
NSW premier to return to Sydney immediately
Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, will return to Sydney immediately following the Bondi Junction incident. Minns had been out of Sydney on Saturday and had an acting premier covering for him.
He just released this statement:
I am horrified to hear about the events at Bondi Junction this afternoon. I am making immediate arrangements to return to Sydney.
I want to thank NSW police, emergency services and first responders and the community for their bravery in the face of this shocking incident.
Updated
Anthony Albanese responds to attack and confirms multiple casualties
Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has extended his sympathies to the victims. He wrote on Twitter/X:
I have been briefed by the AFP on the devastating events at Bondi Junction.
Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones.
Our hearts go out to those injured and we offer our thanks to those caring for them as well as our brave police and first responders.”
I have been briefed by the AFP on the devastating events at Bondi Junction.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 13, 2024
Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones.
Updated
Reports of potential second attacker likely incorrect
It appears that reports of a potential second attacker are incorrect.
Police were sweeping the shopping centre conducting searches, but now believe there was just one attacker.
The situation is understood to now be under control.
Updated
A shopper who had been at a gym inside the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction told the ABC from the street outside:
I saw a woman lying on the floor in [the shop] Chanel.
It was insanity, I wasn’t expecting it. I thought I was going to die.
Updated
Officers enter Bondi Junction, guns drawn. pic.twitter.com/Sw0GLdd2A3
— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) April 13, 2024
ABC reports police are searching for a second attacker
Police are still searching for a further attacker, having already shot one male earlier, the ABC is reporting, citing the New South Wales ambulance service.
Updated
Acting premier issues statement
Penny Sharpe, the acting premier of the state of New South Wales, has just issued this statement:
I am shocked at reports of multiple casualties at Bondi Junction late this afternoon.
My thoughts and those of the NSW government are with the victims, their families and first responders at this time, as well as those who may have witnessed these horrific events.
I am receiving regular updates from NSW police and emergency services, as well as from the premier’s department.
I will be receiving a formal briefing shortly.
Updated
What we know so far
It’s been a fast moving incident, so if you’re just joining us, here’s a run down of what we know so far:
At least four people are believed dead as a result of a “major incident” at Bondi Junction Westfield, a six-level shopping centre in Sydney’s east.
Multiple stabbings have been reported, with ambulances responding to “reports of a male running around Westfield with a knife”. A mother and her baby has been reported as being among those treated for stab wounds.
Police said a male was shot at the scene of the attack. It is not known if the death toll of four includes the attacker. Jason, a shopper evacuated from the centre, told 9 News he saw the alleged attacker with a “big blade”. Jason said he later witnessed police shoot the attacker before administering first aid.
A motive for the attack has not yet been established.
The centre is still in lockdown, with shoppers who had been hiding in stores continuing to exit stores as heavily armed tactical response teams move through the centre.
Authorities are telling people to avoid the area, as the streets remain filled with ambulances and police vehicles.
Brendan Blomeley was with his two children inside the Westfield when he heard two shots. “It was frightening, it was harrowing … We were cowering in a store with hundreds of other people”.
Footage from TV helicopters showed teams of heavily armed police making their way across the rooftop of one of the buildings in Bondi.
Guardian Australia’s Nikki Marshall was inside David Jones department story on level four of the shopping centre when she said she became aware of the incident at about 3:35pm. “Suddenly a woman said there’s a stabbing, we’ve got to go.”
Police are expected to provide an update at 5:45PM local time.
Updated
This has just come in from Tamsin Rose, who is on the scene for Guardian Australia at Bondi Junction. She reports the below happened at about 5:30PM.
Heavily armed police have entered the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre near [the store] Zara with their weapons drawn. They were followed by an officer with a dog.
Updated
Centre worker Josh was in one of the food courts on a break when he heard people screaming and running.
He said:
All of a sudden, people started running. There were a lot of people crying. I ran with them.
Updated
Witness says first reponders arrived ‘within minutes’
Brendan Blomeley was with his two children inside the Westfield when he heard two shots.
“Adrenaline kicked in quickly,” he told ABC. “It was just one of those situations you wouldn’t wish upon anybody.”
Blomeley said police and paramedics arrived “within minutes” and went “above and beyond”.
“It was frightening, it was harrowing … We were cowering in a store with hundreds of other people.”
Updated
Guardian Australia’s Tamsin Rose is reporting from Bondi Junction.
Dozens of police vehicles remained at Bondi Junction at 5.20pm.
People who parked at the shopping centre were being told to come back tomorrow when they expected the car park to reopen.
Multiple people were seen leaving the centre in tears.
Police press conference expected at 5:45pm
We’re expecting police to front a press conference to provide more information at 5:45PM, so in about 25 minutes.
Updated
At least four believed dead after Bondi stabbings
It is believed at least four people have died at the incident at Bondi Junction.
It is not known if that includes the attacker.
Updated
Attacker had ‘big blade’, witness tells 9 News
Jason, a shopper evacuated from the centre, told 9 News he saw the alleged attacker with a “nice big blade”.
“Everyone started running toward the end of the building,” he said.
Jason said he later witnessed police shoot the alleged attacker.
“She shot him,” he said. “When the copper shot him she was giving him CPR.”
Updated
Channel 9 report infant taken to hospital for treatment
More on that earlier post reporting an infant had been stabbed.
Channel 9 have reported a nine month old baby has been taken to hospital where they are being treated.
Updated
Reports people still shielding inside Bondi Junction shops
I’m hearing from people still at the scene in Bondi Junction that there are still shoppers shielding inside some floors of the David Jones department store.
That’s as responders continue to sweep the area.
So far we have heard police believed there was just one alleged attacker.
Updated
‘My instinct was to put customers inside and close the shop’
We’re hearing stories that as soon as the alarm was raised about the incident, shoppers hid in stores as they shut their doors for protection.
An employee of the Harris Farm supermarket inside the centre said his “reaction was to put all the customers” inside.
“My instinct was to put customers inside and close the shop,” he said.
At about 4:45pm, TV crews reporting live from the streets captured the moment when shoppers who had been sheltering inside the Apple Store – which is on street level and has direct access onto Oxford Street – finally exited.
Updated
Guardian Australia’s Nikki Marshall was inside David Jones on level four of the shopping centre when she said she became aware of the incident at about 3:35pm.
“Suddenly a woman said there’s a stabbing, we’ve got to go.”
“I fled for a cupboard, and then I found a fire escape. As we were coming down the escalators, that’s when the security alarm started sounding.”
Updated
Witnesses say mother and baby among stabbing victims
People moving through the streets of Bondi Junction have reported that a mother and baby are among the stabbing victims.
One man, interviewed by 9 News, claimed fellow shoppers tried to help a mother and her baby who had been stabbed.
The man said he held the baby as he and others tried to compress the wound.
He said others tried attending to the mother, who had more significant bleeding.
Updated
Vision from TV helicopters shows teams of heavily armed police tactical response officers making their way across the rooftop of one of the buildings in Bondi.
Updated
TV crews broadcasting live from the streets surrounding the Westfield shopping centre are speaking with shoppers who have been fleeing the centre.
One man being interviewed now reports seeing a body covered in blood.
He was speaking next to a woman who had just run out of the centre after hiding inside a shop after hearing gunshots.
“We heard the shots, we’re all just processing,” she told 9 News.
Updated
Police release statement, confirm man shot
Police have just released this holding statement:
Saturday, 13 April 2024 04:36:50 PM
A critical incident has commenced following the shooting of male at Bondi Junction.
Just before 4pm (Saturday 13 April 2024), emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction following reports of multiple people stabbed.
People are urged to avoid the area.
Inquiries are continuing in relation to the incident and there are no further details.
Updated
Breaking news - incident at Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre
We’ll be covering the events unfolding Sydney’s Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon.
We’ve so far reported a major incident has been declared, with multiple stabbings reported.
Ambulances have said they responded to “reports of a male running around Westfield with a knife” shortly before 4PM.
Witnesses have reported seeing police shoot the alleged attacker.
Updated
