At 1:48 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024, a man identified as a 28-year-old male entered the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center in Sydney. He was observed carrying what appeared to be a firearm. Witnesses reported seeing him move through the central area of the mall.
Within minutes, reports of active shooting began to emerge. The first calls to emergency services were made shortly after 1:50 PM. The assailant proceeded through the shopping center, engaging with individuals.
At approximately 2:00 PM, police officers from the New South Wales Police Force arrived at the scene. One officer, Detective Inspector Amy Schafer, was on routine patrol nearby and responded to the unfolding events. She was the first police officer to confront the gunman.
The confrontation occurred on the fifth floor of the shopping center. The gunman was reportedly carrying a knife and the firearm. Detective Inspector Schafer engaged the assailant, issuing verbal commands. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to the officer discharging her firearm.
The gunman was struck by police gunfire and subsequently died at the scene. Emergency medical services were immediately dispatched. A significant police and ambulance response was mobilized to secure the area and attend to the injured.
In the aftermath, it was confirmed that six civilians had died as a result of the attack. A further twelve people, including a baby, were injured and received medical treatment. The exact timeline of the assailant’s movements and interactions within the shopping center is being meticulously pieced together through witness accounts and CCTV footage. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to understand the motive behind the attack.
