Sydney Mall Stabbings: 6 Killed, Attacker Shot Dead by Police

The motive behind the stabbing incident in Australia was not immediately clear. Australian police reported that multiple people were stabbed by an unidentified assailant, who was later tracked down and shot dead by a policewoman.

New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb confirmed that five women and one man had died, while a baby was undergoing emergency surgery. The attacker, believed to be a known 40-year-old man to law enforcement, has not yet been formally identified.

Webb downplayed suggestions that the attack could have been an act of terrorism, stating that it is believed the attacker acted alone. She mentioned, “If it is in fact the person we believe it is, then… it’s not a terrorism incident.”

Eight patients, including the injured baby, were taken to various hospitals across Sydney. A witness, Ayush Singh, who was working at a cafe inside the center when the incident occurred, described the chaos and the fear he felt witnessing the attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the bravery of strangers who helped each other and the woman police inspector who took swift action to confront the assailant. The area was swarmed with police, and the mall was locked down as a precaution.

Such attacks are rare in Australia, which has relatively low rates of violent crime.