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A lone police officer has been praised for her "courage and bravery" and has been credited with saving lives after she confronted an armed man at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney's east.
Six people have died and eight people are being treated in multiple hospitals after the man entered the shopping centre at about 3pm and stabbed multiple people.
The senior officer was nearby, performing routine checks, when the incident began to unfold. She was guided to the man's whereabouts by shoppers.
READ MORE: Sydney stabbing rampage leaves young mum and five others dead, her baby injured
The offender had moved to level five by this stage after making his way through multiple levels of the massive shopping centre.
The police officer walked quickly behind him to catch up. It's understood the man, in his 40s, lunged at the officer prompting her to open fire.
The attacker died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.
The as yet unnamed senior police officer's decisive actions are being praised by her superiors and she's been credited with saving lives.
"She showed enormous courage and bravery," NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Saturday night.
Webb said the officer is "doing well under the circumstances" and she has "everything she needs" in terms of support for the time-being.
The officer will be formally interviewed at a later date.
Webb also praised the other first responders on the scene as well as shoppers.
"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. But also many of the shopkeepers and people within the shopping centre that showed amazing courage and bravery."
Webb said "it's not unusual for a senior officer to be out supervising and leading troops and therefore she was on her own".
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke also praised the senior officer as he addressed media on Saturday evening.
"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," he said.
The NSW Police Force is investigating the circumstances of the incident and the investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said in a statement it will independently monitor the investigation.
What we know so far
- 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.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
