King expresses ‘utter shock’ over Sydney stabbing
The King and Queen have joined the Prince and Princess of Wales in expressing their sympathy for the victims of a knife rampage in Sydney.
A knife-wielding man killed six people at the Westfield shopping centre in Bondi before being shot by an off-duty police officer.
In a statement issued by the palace, King Charles said: “My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack.”
He added: “While details of these shocking circumstances are still emerging, our thoughts are also with those who were involved in the response, and we give thanks for the bravery of the first responders and emergency services.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said in their statement on X, formerly Twitter:
We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events in Sydney earlier today. Our thoughts are with all those affected, including the loved ones of those lost and the heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others. W & C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 13, 2024
The lone 40-year-old suspect attacked nine people, including a nine-month-old baby, who was undergoing surgery for “a paediatric stab wound”.
The lone 40-year-old suspect attacked nine people, including a nine-month-old baby, who was undergoing surgery for “a paediatric stab wound”.
A nine-month-old baby has undergone surgery following the attack, with authorities reporting that the baby’s mother died in hospital.
A witness to the stabbings said he helped the baby and mother after they were attacked.
The man told 9News Sydney: “The baby got stabbed. The mum got stabbed and came over with a baby and threw it at me - I was holding the baby, it looked pretty bad.
“There was a lot of blood on the floor. I hope the baby is all right.”
An Australian policewoman has been hailed as a “hero” after shooting the lone knifeman mid-rampage, with videos showing other bystanders also tried to intervene and stop the attacks.
The police officer was seen in footage shared on social media ordering a man to drop his weapon.
When he refused to do so and lunged at her with a knife, she shot him.
“She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action,” Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said on Saturday.
Sydney attack
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