Sydney stabbing live updates: Westfield Bondi Junction attack leaves seven dead, including attacker shot by police, and multiple people in critical condition | Bondi Junction stabbings

Police release further account of incident

In a statement, police have confirmed more information about what happened to end the attack. Here is their account of the incident:

About 3.30pm… emergency services were called to Westfield in Bondi Junction, following reports multiple people had been stabbed.

An officer attached to Eastern Suburbs police area command attended and was allegedly confronted by a man with a knife. The man allegedly lunged at the officer, before he was fatally shot.

The officer conducted CPR until the arrival of NSW ambulance paramedics, who worked on the man; however, he could not be revived.

It has been confirmed the man fatally stabbed six people in the centre before he was shot.

The death toll from today’s attack has increased to seven, including the attacker, police have confirmed.

The number killed by the attacker has increased to six, police have just announced in a statement.

Waverley mayor makes statement

Paula Masselos, the mayor of Waverley council (the LGA that covers Bondi Junction), has shared her “deep shock” at the incident and sent her “deepest condolences to the families of the victims”, in a post on X.

Albanese says it appears attacker acted alone but police being transparent in service of public

Asked whether Australians should be fearful about other attacks that might be related to this one, Anthony Albanese has said it appears the attacker has acted alone.

Look, it certainly is my view that we should allow this investigation to take place. It would appear, that this person has. In fact, acted alone, the motives are not known yet and speculation on that would not be helpful at this time.

But we have been clear and transparent. And I know that the NSW police as well as now the AFP, have made information available, as a priority because we understand that the Australian public will be very shocked by this event.

Our heart goes out to them.

‘She is certainly a hero’: Albanese praises courage of officer who confronted attacker

The prime minister has praised the bravery of the of the police officer who shot the attacker, saying she entered the “proceedings that were taking place, obviously very dangerous, by herself.

She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action. And it is a reminder that those people who wear [the] uniform are people who rush to danger, not away from it.

And I give thanks to every, every one of them, for the actions that they’ve taken up to now and the actions that they will take over the coming days, which will be a difficult period as well. Thank you.

Reece Kershaw, the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, said it is “too early to determine a motive” and has warned it would be “unhelpful to speculate” at this stage.

Asked whether there is any information about whether this was a terrorist incident, Kershaw has said:

Having spoken with the NSW police commissioner, at this stage, it’s too early to give that assessment. However, all the agencies, the right agencies are working together to make that assessment.

Anthony Albanese has echoed this sentiment, saying:

I think the AFP commissioner has made it clear that speculation … would be unhelpful at this time, we should allow the investigators to go about their work … I’ve also had a discussion tonight with the director general of Asio. The motive at this stage is unknown and we will, of course, continue to update the Australian public as more information is known.

PM praises healthcare workers, first responders and store staff

Albanese praised healthcare workers and first responders to this event today:

And all of us are thinking of the dedicated doctors, nurses and health care workers who will be working through the night to save lives and to care for their fellow Australians.

Today Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence, but it was also witnessed to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians. Our police, our first responders, and of course everyday people who could never have imagined that they would face such a moment and some of the footage is quite extraordinary. Staff for whom there should have been a normal shift shoppers peacefully going about their lives.

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

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has labelled Saturday’s attack “a horrific act of violence”.

Albanese, speaking from Canberra, said:

The devastating scenes of Bondi Junction beyond words, or understanding, Australians will be shocked this evening.

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

Albanese said the “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”.

We’re expecting the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to hold a press conference with the Australian Federal Police commissioner, Reece Kershaw, in Canberra at 7:10PM.

‘Like he was having an ice cream in the park’

Witnesses have reported seeing the attacker before he began stabbing.

At a press conference, police said they believe the attacker had been in the shopping centre, exited, and returned with a knife, before beginning his stabbing spree.

One man, speaking to the ABC, said that when the man re-entered the centre carrying the knife he was moving “really calmly”.

“He was walking like he was having an ice cream in the park,” the man said.

State opposition leader releases statement

Mark Speakman, the New South Wales opposition leader, has released the following statement:

Tonight we are shocked and saddened by today’s tragedy at Bondi Junction. The NSW police have advised that the situation is now under control.

Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.

The NSW Opposition expresses our gratitude to our police, health workers, other first responders and members of the public, and particularly to those who displayed extraordinary bravery in the face of tragedy.

We pray for the speedy recovery of those in hospital tonight.

Now, and in the coming days and weeks, it’s important that those affected by this tragedy receive the care and support they need.

As a community we’ll need to come together to support those who have suffered injury, loss and trauma today.