At Least 6 Killed in Sydney Mall Stabbing

Facts

• A knife-wielding attacker killed at least six people and critically injured several others at the Westfield Bondi Junction mall in Sydney's suburb of Bondi on Saturday. The suspect was fatally shot by a senior police officer in the vicinity at the time.¹
• According to the police, the attacker had walked into the mall at around 3:10 p.m. local time before leaving. He returned soon after, reportedly with a 'big blade,' and, according to eyewitnesses, started stabbing the shoppers indiscriminately.²
• At least eight people are being treated for different injuries at Sydney hospitals, including a nine-month-old child with stab wounds. Police said some of the injured were in a serious or critical condition.³
• Though the motive wasn't immediately clear, the police said the 40-year-old man acted alone, ruling out the possibility of a terror angle. The law enforcement has identified the suspect, though his details are yet to be revealed.⁴
• The officer, who shot the attacker dead after he lunged at her with his knife, was 'doing well under the circumstances' and would be interviewed formally about what happened. The mall will remain closed on Sunday while an investigation continues.⁵
• Mass stabbings and violence are rare in Australia, which enacted strict gun laws in 1996 when a man killed 35 and wounded at least 23 in Tasmania.⁶

Sources: ¹CNN, ²BBC News, ³The Telegraph, ⁴Washington Post, ⁵ABCNews and ⁶Associated Press.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by New York Times. This horrific act of violence, Australia's deadliest in at least eight years, has stunned and horrified a country where mass killings are rare. Since the attacker indiscriminately targeted innocent shoppers and his motive remains unclear, it's too early to call it a hate crime. For now, it's paramount to thank the police and emergency services for their bravery in the face of this shocking incident and support the families of victims and eyewitnesses in these grim times.
• Narrative B, as provided by The University of Sydney. There's no doubt the officer saved hundreds of lives through her timely actions, and mass casualty events are rare in Australia. However, Saturday's tragedy should kick off another national debate about gun control. As Australians who already own guns have bought more, and there's an increase in new gun owners since the country implemented one of the world's toughest gun laws more than two decades ago, the Bondi mall stabbing serves as a warning against complacency.