’She was there’: Praise for Bondi’s hero cop
A single officer who bravely stared down the man who fatally stabbed six people and injured several more before she shot him dead has been hailed as “an absolute hero”.
The assailant, dressed in a Kangaroos rugby league shirt and armed with a large knife, began his rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction at 3.20pm on Saturday, sending hundreds of stores and thousands of people into lockdown while others ran outside screaming and crying.
A senior officer who just happened to be in the “near vicinity” was guided to the location of the offender by people who were in the centre.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said she had spoken to the Inspector.
“Police in NSW are trained very, very well and we’re very lucky about that, and she
just went into gear,” Ms Catley told Nine on Sunday.
“I thanked her on behalf of the government and on behalf of the people of NSW.
“We could have ended up with a lot more disaster. But she was there.
“I have to tell you she was so humble. She said it wasn’t just about me, Minister. She said the people, the bystanders around really helped as well.”
“She walked quickly behind him to catch up with him,” Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke from the NSW Police Service told reporters.
“He turned, faced her, (lunged at her and) raised the knife. She discharged a firearm.
“That person is now deceased.”
The officer conducted CPR until paramedics arrived, but he could not be revived.
By then, he had claimed the lives of five people and injured several others.
A mother of a nine-month-old baby who was also injured ater died in hospital.
Police say the heroic officer’s actions saved countless other people’s lives.
NSW Deputy Premier Penny Sharp praised the senior officer on Sunday.
“She is an absolute hero but she is like so many of our police officers. They are doing their job and they plan to this and they hope they never have to,” Ms Sharp told Seven.
“That police officer did her job and we are so grateful to her because she stopped an attacker and stepped up when we really needed her to.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said she was a hero, and thanked her for her “bravery”.
“She’s certainly a hero,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that she saved lives through her actions, and it is a reminder that the people who wear uniform rush to danger, not away from it.
“We give thanks to every one of them for their actions.”
NSW Police Commissioner KarenWebb also praised the senior officer and others who responded.
“The police officer that attended was enormously courageous as were other police officers that have attended that Bondi area,
“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.”
At least eight people were taken to Sydney’s various hospitals in a combination of serious and critical conditions, including the young baby.
Outside the shopping centre, two men described the moment they encountered the baby and its mother who had been brutally stabbed.
“The mum came over with the baby and threw it at me, and I was just holding the baby,” the unnamed man told 9News.
“I just helped out, just holding the baby and trying to compress the blood from stopping and calling ambulance and police.
“There was a lot of blood on the floor.”
He recounted seeing a man run up to the woman with the baby.
“We just kept yelling out to get some clothes to help us compress and stop the baby bleeding,” he said.
“I think the baby is fine.”
Police have declared a critical incident but are confident the man acted alone.
They say they “aren’t ruling anything out” in terms of motive, including terrorism.
Mr Albanese said he had been briefed by Australian Federal Police.
“Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones,” he said.
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