SYDNEY - An attacker who fatally knifed six people in a Sydney mall was shot dead by police in Sydney’s beachside suburb of Bondi on April 13, police said, as hundreds fled the scene.

The assailant was shot by a police officer after he attacked shoppers in the busy Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre, police said in a statement.

Police said the attacker is believed to be a 40-year-old man who was known to law enforcement, but he has not yet been formally identified.

Five of the six victims killed were women, while eight people, including a nine-month-old baby, were taken to hospital with stab wounds, New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb told a press conference.

Police at this stage do not believe the attack was terror-related, Ms Webb said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no indication yet of the man’s motive.

“This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeting innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping,” Mr Albanese told a press conference.

“Tonight, the first thoughts of all Australians are with the victims of these terrible acts.”

Australia has some of the world’s toughest gun and knife laws, and attacks such as the one on April 13 are rare.

Emergency services were called to the mall just before 4pm (2pm Singapore time) after the stabbing reports, police said.

Security camera footage showed a man wearing an Australian rugby league jersey running around the shopping centre with a large knife.

Injured people lay lifeless on the floor, or surrounded by pools of blood.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic, with shoppers scrambling to safety and police trying to secure the area.

Several people took shelter in shops as they tried to protect themselves, their families and frightened strangers.

Mr Ayush Singh had been working at a cafe inside the centre when the incident occurred.

“I saw the whole thing in front of me,” he told AFP. “I saw a lot of people running around, I saw the guy running with the knife and people running away.”

Mr Singh helped two old ladies, who were having a coffee, hide inside his cafe. He heard three gunshots ring out, then saw the man lying on the ground.

“It was really scary,” he said. “I’ve felt really safe (in Australia). I’ve been here for six years. I didn’t feel unsafe, but now I feel scared.”

Mr Albanese praised the bravery of strangers who helped each other, and the police inspector who rushed headlong toward danger.

“She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action,” Mr Albanese said.

Ms Pranjul Bokaria had just finished work and was doing some shopping when the stabbing occurred.

She ended up running to a nearby shop and taking shelter in a break room.

“It was scary, there were some people who were emotionally vulnerable and crying,” she told AFP.

She escaped with other shoppers and staff using an emergency exit, which took them to a back street.

She described a scene of “chaos”, with people running and police swarming the area. “I am alive and grateful,” she said.

Ms Reece Colmenares had been on her way to the gym when she saw “people running and screaming” past her.

She told AFP the people were saying someone had been stabbed, so she ran into a nearby hardware shop with 10 to 12 other people.

“They took us down (to a room) and closed the shop,” she said. “It’s scary, there were little children and elderly and people in wheelchairs everywhere.”

As night fell, dozens of police and ambulances were still outside the shopping complex, with stretchers ready to take people to nearby hospitals.

The sound of police sirens and helicopters filled the air.

The mall has been locked down and police have urged people to avoid the area. REUTERS, AFP