Sydney shopping mall stabbing leaves several dead, injured; police shoot attacking knifeman

Panic and chaos gripped a popular shopping centre in Sydney, Australia on Saturday afternoon after multiple people were stabbed by an assailant in a gruesome attack. According to reports, the stabbing spree at the bustling Westfield Bondi Junction mall left several shoppers injured before police shot the attacker, bringing an end to the rampage.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least four people lying in pools of blood after being knifed by the assailant who indiscriminately attacked people at the busy shopping destination. Frantic onlookers rushed to help the injured as ambulances and police vehicles swarmed the area with emergency workers attending to victims at the scene. Shocked crowds were seen fleeing the mall in tears as the stabbing was still underway at the time.

Police managed to shoot the assailant, believed to be the lone attacker, after confronting him. While they are yet to confirm details, initial reports stated at least four victims had succumbed to their injuries in the brutal assault. One individual was also reported to have been hospitalised after being shot by police when they engaged the assailant. The area was immediately cleared and cordoned off as investigation into the tragic incident began.

The attack caused widespread panic among the largely unprepared shoppers out for their weekend errands and leisure activities at the otherwise busy shopping plaza. With the full details still emerging, this appears to be an isolated but deadly targeted assault that has rocked the community in Sydney. More information is awaited on the possible motives or background of the attacker, and the conditions of those injured in this act of mass violence.