Bondi Junction stabbing update: Six people killed, attacker shot dead in shopping centre stabbing attack

Six people have died, including a 38-year-old mother, who along with her nine-month-old baby were among those injured in the incident.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed four women and one man died at the scene, in addition to the attacker. The mum died later in hospital.

Video appeared to show a knife-wielding man wearing a rugby league jersey. (9News)

Eight people were taken to hospitals around Sydney for treatment, including the nine-month-old child who has undergone surgery. (Oscar Colman/The Sydney Morning Herald)

Eight people were taken to hospitals around Sydney for treatment, including the nine-month-old child who has undergone surgery.

Webb addressed the media on Saturday night, revealing police believe the attacks were random, not targeted, but are still investigating a possible motive.

The commissioner added that police believe they know who the offender is but are awaiting formal processes to be undertaken.

"We know a little bit about this person but we're waiting to confirm his identification," she said.

"If in fact it is the person we think it is, we don't have fears for that person holding an ideation. In other words, that it's not a terrorism incident.

Police rushed to the scene after they received multiple calls from members of the public. (Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald)

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed four other women and one man died at the scene, in addition to the attacker. The mum died later in hospital. (9News)

"He is known to law enforcement but we're waiting to identify him formally."

Webb said, if the man is to be formally identified as suspected, NSW Police "are confident that there is no ongoing risk and we are dealing with one person who is now deceased."

The shopping centre will be closed for trade on Sunday and the crime scene will remain ongoing for several days.

Police said a man walked into the centre at about 3.10pm before he returned 10 minutes later at 3.20pm and began stabbing people.

"It is clear that during that engagement he caused harm to those people, we believe, by stabbing them with a weapon he was carrying," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said.

Police rushed to the scene after they received multiple calls from members of the public.

The shopping centre will be closed for trade on Sunday and the crime scene will remain ongoing for several days. (Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald)

Bondi Junction Westfield and streets surrounding were in lockdown. (Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald)

Video obtained by 9News appears to show a man wearing a rugby league jersey holding a knife as shoppers flee.

A senior police officer was nearby at the time and was directed to the man by shoppers in the centre.

"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," Cooke said.

"He turned, faced her, raised a knife, she discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased.

READ MORE: Video emerges of shopper confronting armed man with bollard at Bondi Westfield

Shoppers fled as the attack unfolded in Sydney. (Flavio Brancaleone / The Sydney Morning Herald)

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said the man walked into the centre at about 3.10pm and returned 10 minutes later at 3.20pm. (9News)

"This all happened very, very quickly.

"The officer was in the near vicinity, attended on her own, was guided to the location of the offender by the people who were in the centre and she took the actions that she did saving a range of people's lives."

Webb echoed a similar sentiment for the "enormously courageous" officer who dealt with the matter solo.

"The police officer who attended is enormously courageous as were other police officers that have attended the Bondi area," she said.

"I spoke to them this afternoon when they returned to the station.

Webb added: "She's doing well under the circumstances, she showed enormous courage and bravery and she will process that."

READ MORE: Witnesses describe helping mother and baby after stabbing

A woman is interviewed by media at Bondi Junction after the attacks. (Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald)

Multiple police cars and ambulances were seen outside the shopping centre. (9News)

Cooke said police were "not ruling anything out" in terms of a motive with the investigation in its early stages.

"There's nothing that we're aware of at the scene that would indicate any motive or any ideology," he said.

Police have not confirmed the details of those killed or injured at this stage.

"I can not provide you with further information in relation to them," he said.

"Only to say that very clearly, our hearts go out to all of them as they do anyone touched by this terrible incident this afternoon."

NSW police and ambulance vehicles line the street outside Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024 in Bondi Junction, Australia. Six victims, plus the offender, are confirmed dead following an incident at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction, Sydney. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Heavily armed police entered the centre as crowds of shoppers were ushered outside. (Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald)

Heavily armed police entered the centre as crowds of shoppers were ushered outside.

NSW Ambulance said the injured had been taken to various hospitals.

"Multiple ambulance crews have responded to the incident, including medical teams with doctors onboard," it said in a statement.

"They have transported multiple patients to hospital, including two people to St Vincent's Hospital, one person to Sydney Children's Hospital, one patient to St George Hospital, one to Royal North Shore and two to Royal Prince Alfred."

Another ambulance went to Prince of Wales Hospital.

Witnesses describe helping mother and baby

Two brothers have described how they helped a mother and her baby, both of whom had been stabbed.

"The baby got stabbed," one of the men told 9News.

"The mum got stabbed and the mum came over with the baby and threw it at me and (I) was holding the baby."

Witnesses have described how they helped a mother and her baby, who they said had been stabbed. (Nine)

Despite the brothers and other shoppers doing what they could to compress the bleeding, the 38-year-old mum later died in hospital.

One of the brothers said he believed the baby would survive its injuries.

The husband of one woman injured in the incident told 9News he was relieved to see his wife at St Vincent's Hospital.

"We didn't know what had happened," he said.

"She just got a little, they said, stab in the top right-hand corner of her back.

"She thought she got punched and then she touched herself and there was blood but apart from that, she's okay, she's alive and that's all that matters."

The man said once he saw his wife, the "stress was over".

Armed police at Bondi Junction as the attack unfolded. (Flavio Brancaleone)

READ ALL 9NEWS COVERAGE ON BONDI STABBING

"No one could tell you anything when we were there," he said.

"It was terrible but she's good now."

Albanese said he has been briefed by Australian Federal Police after the attack by a man at Bondi Junction Westfield on a busy Saturday afternoon. (Dion Georgopoulos)

Earlier, a grocery shop worker at the centre told 9News he was let out of the shopping centre just after 4.30pm.

"My girlfriend called me, she said that her mum works upstairs, level three and she said, 'Look, please be careful, there's a shooting,'" he said.

"I couldn't hear her well, so I came outside. I just started hearing a bunch of (shots).

"My reaction was to basically put all the customers inside (and) close the door of the shop."

Prime Minister says shopping centre attack 'horrific act of violence'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the attack "beyond words or understanding."

He said Australians will be "shocked" at the attack at Westfield Bondi Junction by a man with a knife, who was shot dead by a police officer just after 3pm.

"This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeted at innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the attack which has killed five people at a Sydney shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon "beyond words or understanding." (9News)

"The first thoughts of all Australians are with the victims of these terrible acts and their loved ones.

"Our 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."

He praised the health workers caring for the eight people - including a baby - who were rushed to hospital.

He also talked about shoppers who rushed to help those who had been injured.

"Today at Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence, but it was also witness to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians, our brave police, our first responders and of course, everyday people who could never have imagined that they would face such a moment," he said.

"For these Australians, their first instinct in the face of danger was to help someone else. That is what we hold on to tonight as Australians."

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales put out a rare personal message on social media in repose to the incident.

The short statement was signed off casually with "W & C" which signifies the post was written by the couple themselves.

"We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events in Sydney earlier today," they wrote.

"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."

King Charles, who has visited the Bondi area a number of times in the past, also offered a formal message of support to the Australian people following the tragedy.

"My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi," the monarch said in the statement.

King Charles, who has visited the Bondi area a number of times in the past, also offered a formal message of support to the Australian people following the tragedy. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

"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. Charles R."

Six people have been killed in a mass stabbing attack at Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The man, suspected to be a 40-year-old male known to police, was shot dead by a lone officer at the scene. Police do not believe he acted "with ideation".

Eight people have been rushed to hospital in a critical condition after the attack just after 3pm.

A baby and a mother were among those stabbed. The mother, a 38-year-old woman, has since died of her injuries. The baby continues to receive treatment.

Video appears to show a man wearing a rugby league jersey holding a knife as shoppers flee.

Mobile phone footage shows crowds within stairwells, with other shoppers saying they were evacuated to the roof

Shoppers helped victims as others cowered in shops for up to two hours.

The attacker acted alone and there is no ongoing threat.

If you're struggling after today's events, know that help is available 24/7.

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.

Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.

Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.

1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online.

13 Yarn: Call 13 92 76.

MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.