Sydney Westfield stabbing: How female officer risked her own life to confront knifeman alone before shooting him dead

The police officer who confronted and shot a knifeman who killed five bystanders in a busy shopping center and then performed CPR on injured victims has been hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Five shoppers have died while four others, including a nine-month-old baby, were taken to hospital after the terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon. A fifth victim has since died in hospital.

A female senior police inspector who arrived at the scene within minutes risked her own life by confronting the knifeman alone on the top level of the mall.

She fatally shot the attacker when he turned on her and raised his knife.

New South Wales Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb said of the officer: ‘She is doing well under the circumstances. She must be formally interviewed. She has everything she needs. She was the first officer on the scene.

“She is a very senior officer.”

The attacker was seen running in the shopping center with a knife in his hand

Map showing the location of the attack in Sydney

The officer then performed CPR on the man, and when she was unable to revive him, she rushed to the aid of injured bystanders who were outside a nearby store, where she performed more CPR.

The hero officer is an inspector in the NSW Police

“She engaged immediately upon her arrival on the scene,” Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters.

‘The officer was guided to the scene of the perpetrator by people who are in the center and she took the actions she did and saved a number of people’s lives.’

Shocked onlookers recalled the officer’s heroic actions.

‘All she said was ‘Put it down’. Just once,’ Jason Dixon told reporters.

Then she shot him in the chest and he went down.

“So when he fell to the ground, she gave him CPR.”

Hussein Osseili described how he was in Westfield with his six-year-old sister and grandmother when he heard gunshots and immediately knew what they were.

‘I just thought I had to get my family to safety. I told them to go,’ he told TheWSTNews Australia.

‘Then I saw a man with a large hunting knife – about 30cm long on the escalator in front of Woolies.

‘He went PST Zara and KMart, he waved the knife around and stabbed people. He went to level 5 and then I heard more gunshots from the police. Fortunately, my family is safe.’

The stabbing happened at Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre, which went into lockdown just before 4pm on Saturday

Police and ambulance personnel rushed to the scene earlier today

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has launched a critical incident has been launched into the brave actions of the police officer.

“The NSWPF is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and this investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command,” a statement read.

Albanese held a quick press conference in Canberra to address the tragedy on Saturday night, highlighting the bravery of the police officer who shot the knifeman.

“She went into the matter that took place, obviously very dangerously, alone,” she said.

‘She is definitely a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her actions.

‘Today is a reminder that the people who wear a uniform are people who rushed to danger, not away from it.’

Police have not identified the perpetrator, but believe he acted alone. They have not ruled out terrorism.