For the first time, a photo has emerged of Ash Good, a new mother tragically stabbed to death in the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center during today’s knife rampage in Sydney. Good, aged 38, was one of six victims killed when a 40-year-old man, dressed in a rugby league jersey, launched the attack around 3:20 pm. The assailant was subsequently shot dead by a female police officer. Nine people in total, including Ms. Good’s nine-month-old baby, Harriet, sustained knife injuries. Harriet is currently fighting for her life following emergency surgery at the hospital.
Mere hours before the tragedy unfolded, Ms. Good shared a photo on Instagram, cradling her daughter in her arms. The caption humorously noted, “Only because I was walking past and happened to be wearing the same thing 9 months out vs 9 months in etc etc.”
For the first time, an image has surfaced of Ash Good, a new mother tragically killed in the Sydney shopping center knife attack. Just hours before the devastating incident, Ms. Good shared a photo on Instagram, holding her daughter Harriet in her arms.
At the age of 38, Ash Good was one of six shoppers who lost their lives today at Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield. The tragic event occurred when a 40-year-old man, donning a rugby league jersey, launched a stabbing spree around 3:20 pm, ultimately being fatally shot by a female police officer.
Nine individuals, including Ms. Good’s nine-month-old baby, sustained knife injuries. The infant is currently in critical condition, undergoing emergency surgery after being swiftly transported to the hospital.
The final video shared by Ash Good depicted her baby in a car seat, moments before the tragic stabbing incident at Westfield in Bondi Junction took place.
A patrolling police officer shot dead the attacker who was seen running in the mall with a knife in his hand just moments prior.
The King and Queen have released a statement expressing their utter shock and horror at the attacks in Australia, condemning them unequivocally.
She additionally shared a brief video featuring her daughter seated in a car seat, accompanied by the Temptations song “My Girl” playing in the background.
The assailant, responsible for the deaths of five women and one man in today’s Sydney rampage, was reportedly familiar to law enforcement.
Six fatalities and three additional stabbings occurred during the appalling attack, leaving numerous individuals critically wounded.
However, one man emerged as a hero for swiftly coming to Ms. Good and her baby’s aid, recounting his frantic efforts to keep the infant alive using clothing from a nearby store.
During the chaos at Bondi Junction, a witness interrupted a Nine News reporter, pointing to his brother and proclaiming, “He’s a hero – he saved the baby.”
The visibly shaken man described how he used clothes from a nearby store in an attempt to stop the baby’s bleeding. “The baby got stabbed and, yeah, the mum got stabbed,” he said. “The mum came over with the baby and threw it at me. I just helped by holding the baby… and trying to compress the baby’s wounds.”
The brothers remained with the mother and called emergency services. “It was very bad… a lot of blood on the floor… I hope the baby’s alright,” the other brother remarked.
The injured mother had blood coming out of her mouth, he added.
Another witness, a worker at the shopping center, recalled seeing a mother screaming on the level above. “I see a mother and maybe her partner with a baby in a pram,” she recounted to Nine News. “She’s screaming really, really loudly. She’s running back and forth not knowing what to do. Then she comes back to the pram and picks up her baby and there’s just blood all over her back. The scream was unforgettable, it was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen. My coworker took me, we locked all the doors, had to turn off all the lights and doors.”
Four women and one man died at the scene, with another woman succumbing to her injuries in the hospital.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb addressed the press, stating, “Later this evening we became aware of who we believe the offender is and we believe that he is a 40-year-old man. However, we are waiting to formally identify him and we cannot speculate yet on his identification. But let me assure you that we are confident that there is no ongoing risk and we are dealing with one person who is now deceased.”
She further commented, “If in fact it is the person that we believe it is, then we don’t have fears for that person holding an ideation – in other words, that it’s not a terrorism incident. He is known to law enforcement but we are waiting to identify him formally.”
The assailant responsible for the deaths of five women and one man during today’s rampage in Sydney was reportedly familiar to law enforcement.
A female police officer who was on patrol nearby reportedly shot and killed the knifeman.
The attacker initially entered the mall at 3 p.m., departed, then returned at 3:20 p.m. armed with a knife. The assault on the mother and child occurred at 3:30 p.m., shortly before police arrived at 3:45 p.m. The mall was subsequently placed under lockdown at 4 p.m.
Police have confirmed five fatalities in the Sydney stabbing attack.
Commissioner Webb commented on the heroic officer, stating that she was “doing well under the circumstances.” Webb further noted, “She showed enormous courage and bravery… we just talked [and] she’s OK, her family is OK. She’s got everything she needs for the time being.” The officer will undergo formal interviews tomorrow regarding the incident.
The baby is currently receiving treatment at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. Another victim was urgently taken to St George Hospital, while another was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. Three individuals were admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst, and two others were taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown.
Witnesses reported seeing multiple individuals outside the shopping center in the city’s eastern suburbs with blood-stained clothing.
Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke of New South Wales Police provided details, stating, “A man entered Westfield at Bondi Junction, shortly left, and returned… He interacted with approximately nine people as he moved through the center. It is evident that during these interactions, he inflicted harm on those individuals, allegedly by stabbing them with a weapon he was carrying.”
Cooke continued, “Numerous reports of the incident were received, and police responded promptly. A lone unit officer, a police inspector, was nearby and entered the center guided by several individuals. She confronted the assailant, who had moved to level five. As she approached him, he turned towards her, brandishing a knife. In response, she discharged her firearm, resulting in his death.”
He added, “Regrettably, there are five confirmed fatalities from the attacker’s actions. Additionally, several other individuals have been transported to hospitals, some in critical condition. Among them is a young child.”
Subsequently, it was confirmed that six people lost their lives in the attack.
Cooke further stated, “I am confident that there is no ongoing threat. Our police have initiated investigations, which will continue. I do not have detailed information on the victims or the attacker at this stage, as this is an evolving situation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.”
He concluded, “We are still in the early stages of the investigation and are actively working to identify the perpetrator. That’s all the information I have at this time.”
Following the attack that claimed the lives of six individuals, the shopping center has been placed under lockdown.
Following the attack that claimed the lives of six individuals, the shopping center has been placed under lockdown.
As the attack unfolded, shoppers fled through Bondi Junction while police swiftly locked down the center.
Expressing their profound shock and sorrow, the Prince and Princess of Wales conveyed their solidarity with those impacted, along with their gratitude for the heroic emergency responders who courageously risked their lives to protect others.
The stabbing occurred at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center, prompting a lockdown shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday.
A man who witnessed the attacker stab a woman in her stomach as he fled the shopping center with his girlfriend described feeling “powerless” as he witnessed the knifeman “taking the life of someone else and wasn’t able to do anything.”
Carlos Ferras, 32, recounted to the PA news agency, “I was in the shopping mall with my girlfriend when, near the entrance, suddenly a crowd came running in. I started looking into the crowd, trying to understand the commotion, and very soon realized there was a guy following them with a quite long knife.”
“At that point, my girl pulled me to run into the mall, but I noticed we would be running parallel to the attacker, as he was literally next to us on the other side of the corridor. The guy seemed focused on moving forward, so he didn’t notice us.”
Mr. Ferras, a software engineer based in Sydney, continued, “I took my girl and led her towards the mall entrance while keeping an eye on the guy, and it was at that moment that I saw him stabbing a lady – he pretty much plunged the entire knife into her stomach. We made it out, but outside was as chaotic as inside, with people running in all directions.”
“In the moment, we didn’t know how many attackers there were or anything else, so we stayed vigilant and went to one of the parking exits, hoping to get inside and reach our car. Feelings are hard to describe during a situation like that. I would say I was definitely alert, scared, and worried, mostly about the uncertainty of not knowing how many attackers there were or if it was over… I felt powerless. I had the guy in front of me, alone, saw him taking the life of someone else, and wasn’t able to do anything.”
Yohan Francois Philip, 29, a supervisor of a luggage store in the shopping center, recounted witnessing the attacker stab a woman and seeing the bodies of four people on the ground, including two security guards.
He said, “As I was letting her in, the perpetrator fell behind her with a knife, and I saw him, as did the other customers in the store locked in with us. So we quickly pulled her in, locked the door, and we realized he had just stabbed two security guards. Then he ran across to the corner part of the luggage store, to the premium section, and he stabbed a woman right in front of me.”
Mr. Philip, who also works as a lawyer, continued, “There was a nurse in the store who was adamant she wanted to leave and help. She wanted to go help the security guard, and I said, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen if I open this door,’ but on her decision, I let her out. We were still locked in the store at that point, so we waited until we had further instruction. The sirens were going off at that point. We’ve got a view of the back of our store onto the public street, and we saw people running out of the store, and then later on we saw ambulances and cops and bodies, people being wheeled out.”
Numerous other shoppers have reportedly sustained injuries in the attack.
Paramedics have transported two individuals to the hospital via ambulances thus far, while bystanders have observed multiple people outside the shopping center with bloodstained clothing.
Police have established a cordon around the shopping center in Sydney.
Shoppers who were enjoying their day out today were evacuated from the mall.
According to state broadcaster ABC, some individuals remained trapped inside. Two witnesses informed Reuters that they heard gunfire.
A witness reported, “Even 20 minutes after people were evacuated from the mall, I observed SWAT teams combing the surrounding streets.”
As he was escorted outside by police officers, he recounted seeing “four bodies” on the ground in the shopping center and witnessed the baby who was attacked during the stabbing spree being wheeled out of the building.
Commissioner Reece Kershaw stated that Australia’s Federal Police would support New South Wales Police in their investigation. He stated, “The AFP has deployed AFP members to the crime scene, and we’ve offered our full specialist capabilities such as digital forensics. It is too early to determine a motive, and it would be unhelpful to speculate.”
An eyewitness described to state broadcaster ABC the police officer’s actions in shooting the attacker. “If she did not shoot him, he would have kept going, he was on the rampage,” said the man, who did not disclose his name. “She went over and was giving him CPR. He had a nice big blade on him. He looked like he was on a killing spree.”
A spokesman for New South Wales Ambulance stated at a press conference, “Shortly after 3 p.m. today, New South Wales Ambulance received multiple calls for persons stabbed within Westfield Bondi Junction. We’ve responded with a total of 40 resources to the scene who remain on scene. That included a total of four medical teams. New South Wales Ambulance assessed and transported eight patients to various hospital facilities across Sydney and assessed a total of six patients who have been deemed deceased on scene.”
Following the stabbings, King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed being “utterly shocked and horrified” by the “senseless attack” in Sydney, extending their sympathies to the families and loved ones of those killed.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also conveyed being “shocked and saddened,” expressing solidarity with those affected and praising the “heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others.”
Eyewitnesses reported panic at the scene, with shoppers fleeing to safety and police working to secure the area.
Earlier today, police and ambulance personnel hurried to the scene.
Specialized police officers armed with rifles were observed in the shopping center.
Masked and armed police officers also hurried to the scene.
Anthony Cooke, assistant commissioner of New South Wales Police, stated, “A man entered Westfield at Bondi Junction, shortly left the center, and returned… as he moved through the center, he interacted with approximately nine people.”
He further added, “It is evident that during that interaction, he caused harm to those individuals, allegedly by stabbing them with a weapon he was carrying.”
![He said: 'Very clearly a range of reports were made on the incident, police attended promptly - a single unit officer, inspector of police, was nearby, attended, [and] went into the centre directed by a range of people.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/13/10/83586091-13303971-image-a-67_1713000041099.jpg)
Mr. Cooke stated, “Various reports were promptly made on the incident. Police attended quickly – a single unit officer, an inspector of police, was nearby, responded, and entered the center guided by multiple individuals.”
A significant police presence continues to be present at the location of the fatal stabbing.
Several individuals sought refuge in a supermarket, where they remained for approximately an hour. The sound of police sirens and helicopters filled the air.
Security camera footage, broadcast by local media, depicted a man running through the shopping center with a large knife, with injured individuals lying on the floor.
A tearful witness recounted to Sky News, “Who does that to people? I saw a woman lying on the floor. I didn’t see him properly, I was running. It was insane. I thought I was going to die.”
Witnesses reported that the assailant, a dark-haired man wearing a Kangaroos NRL jersey, had attacked at least eight shoppers before being shot by a female police officer. No other suspects are being sought by the police.
Police, including the Tactical Operations Unit, and ambulances rushed to the scene, with people observed screaming and crying outside the complex.
Images and videos from the incident have been shared on social media, including one photo showing the alleged attacker casually riding an escalator while holding a large knife.
A young witness, currently locked inside a store, mentioned hearing gunshots and “blood-curdling” screams. “We are absolutely terrified,” she said.
Earlier, panicked individuals were seen running across the pedestrian bridge outside the center in videos posted on social media. Others reported being evacuated from the center’s car park.
Police, including the Tactical Operations Unit, and ambulances have responded to the scene, where individuals were observed screaming and crying outside the complex.
Images and videos from the incident have been shared on various platforms, including one photo depicting the alleged attacker casually riding an escalator while holding a large knife.
A young witness currently confined inside a store mentioned hearing gunshots and described the screams as “blood-curdling.”
The center was shown in videos posted on social media.
Police are present at the scene in significant numbers, and the Australian Federal Police are collaborating with NSW officials in case the joint counter-terrorism team is required.
Authorities are probing potential motives for the attack and have cautioned against jumping to conclusions.
Footage of the incident depicted the attacker pursuing large crowds of people, while others observed from the floor above.
Amidst the chaos, one courageous father turned around to confront the attacker and shield his wife and two children.
Another video captured a bystander armed with a small metal pole attempting to fend off the attacker. Positioned at the top of an escalator, the shopper threatened to throw the pole at the assailant as they both stood their ground.
Local resident Ted Helliar posted on social media: “Something just happened at Westfield Bondi Junction. We were there, and suddenly all these people started running towards us. Next thing, dozens and dozens of people were running and screaming, with someone shouting ‘someone is stabbing everyone, get out of here’.”
Another individual shared screenshots of messages from their friend’s daughter, who was inside the complex at the time of the alleged stabbing. “We just heard gunshots,” the daughter texted. “Get to cover,” her parent replied. “Please, please be safe.”
Westfield Bondi Junction has been placed in lockdown following the incident on Saturday afternoon.
Shoppers trapped inside the complex were frantically messaging their loved ones to reassure them of their safety.
Another user on X reported that hundreds of shoppers were taking refuge in the back of the David Jones department store, which had closed its shutters amid reports of a man seen running with a gun in the center.
A police spokesperson informed Daily Mail Australia on Saturday afternoon that a major police operation was underway, with officers gathering details at the scene.
State broadcaster ABC indicated that some individuals remained trapped inside. Two witnesses told Reuters they heard gunshots.
Witness Roi Huberman, an ABC sound engineer, recounted sheltering in a store during the incident. “Suddenly, we heard a shot or maybe two shots, and we didn’t know what to do,” he said. “Then the very capable person in the store led us to the back where it could be locked. She then secured the store and guided us through the back to safety.”
Another witness mentioned, “Even 20 minutes after people were evacuated from the mall, I saw SWAT teams sweeping the surrounding streets.”
Yet another individual stated they witnessed a woman lying on the ground and sought refuge in a jewelry store.
Witnesses at the scene described panic, as shoppers fled to safety while police worked to secure the area.
Several individuals sought refuge in a supermarket, where they stayed for approximately an hour, as the sound of police sirens and helicopters filled the air.
Witness Roi Huberman, an ABC sound engineer, recounted to the network that he sought refuge in a store during the incident.
Police were accompanied by SWAT teams carrying rifles following the attack.
Numerous social media posts depicted crowds fleeing the mall, while police cars and emergency services rushed to the area.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted on X shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday following the stabbing attack. “I have been briefed by the AFP on the devastating events at Bondi Junction. Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported, and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones,” he said. “Our hearts go out to those injured, and we offer our thanks to those caring for them as well as our brave police and first responders.”
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, stated he is making “immediate arrangements” to return to Sydney following the shopping center stabbings. He said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), “I am horrified to hear about the events at Bondi Junction this afternoon. I am making immediate arrangements to return to Sydney. I want to thank NSW Police, emergency services, first responders, and the community for their bravery in the face of this shocking incident.”
