Sydney stabbing: First pictures emerge of mum stabbed to death in shopping mall

Ash Good died while trying to defend her nine-month-old baby girl from a knifeman on the rampage.

A mum stabbed to death in a Sydney shopping centre knife attack while protecting her baby has been pictured.

Ash Good, 38, was among the victims of the shocking attack as she bravely defended her nine-month-old daughter.

The little girl, who suffered knife wounds, is fighting for life at Sydney Children’s Hospital.

Four other women and a man died in the horrific incident at Westfield shopping centre in Bondi, before the attacker was shot dead by a female police inspector.

Multiple emergency vehicles were seen outside the building on Saturday as members of the public fled in panic.

Several casualties were rushed to hospital while others were treated at the scene.

Another image has emerged showing what appears to be the knifeman walking through the mall.

A friend of Ash described her as a “beautiful human” and the “world’s best mum” in a tribute to news.com.au.

One visibly upset witness told Sky News: “Who does that to people? I saw a woman lying on the floor in Chanel. It was insane, it was insanity, I wasn’t expecting it. I thought I was going to die.”

Viewers in Australia were shocked when a Nine News broadcast live from the scene was interrupted by a witness who came up to a reporter and pointed to his brother saying: “He’s a hero - he saved the baby”.

The Mirror reports that the visibly shaken man then described how he had used clothes from a shop to try and stop the baby’s bleeding. He said: “The baby got stabbed and, yeah, the mum got stabbed.”

Police said they had identified the attacker as a 40-year-old man who was known to them. They added they do not believe he was motivated by terrorism.

NSW Police’s Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cook said: “About ten past three this afternoon a male walked into Westfield Bondi Junction. He left the scene very shortly after and returned about 20 past three. As he moved through the centre he engaged with about nine people. It is clear that during that engagement he caused harm to these people, we believe, by stabbing them with a weapon he was carrying.

“A single unit officer, an inspector of police, was nearby, attended, went into the centre directed by a range of people. She confronted the offender who had moved by this stage to level five. 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.

“There are more than several other people who have been conveyed to hospital. A number of those are in serious and/or critical conditions at this stage and I do not have any further information in relation to descriptions of those people. I know one of them is a small child.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla shared their shock at the attack. The King said in a statement: “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.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaneese said: “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.

Top news stories today

• Man, 70, dies as teen arrested
• Man dies and 2 women pulled from water
• Cat gets caught in 'glue trap'
• Star 'banned' from speaking to Pellow

“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.”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.