King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘utterly shocked and horrified’ by Sydney attack
King Charles and Queen Camilla have said they are “utterly shocked and horrified” by the “senseless attack” in Sydney on Saturday.
Six people have died and multiple people, including a nine-month old child were injured after a knifeman went on the rampage in a Westfield shopping centre in Bondi on Saturday.
The statement read the King and Queen read: “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.
“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 also posted on social media they were “shocked and saddened by the terrible events”, adding their thoughts are with those affected and the “heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others”.
William and Kate wrote: “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.”
A woman police officer has been hailed a hero for confronting the attacker on her own and shooting him dead as he raised a knife and lunged at her.
New South Wales Police said they had identified the attacker as a 40-year-old man who was known to them, but added they do not believe the incident to be terror-related.
Four women and a man died in the shopping centre and another woman later died in hospital, police said.
The nine-month-old infant has undergone surgery and eight people, including the child, are in hospitals around Sydney receiving treatment for “different injuries”.
Reports have suggested the woman who died in hospital was the child’s mother.
Anthony Cooke, assistant commissioner of New South Wales Police, said the police officer “confronted the offender”.
At a press conference, he said: “As she continued to walk quickly behind to catch up with him he turned to face her, raised a knife, she discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased.”
He added: “This all happened very, very quickly – the officer that was in the vicinity attended on her own, was guided to the location of the offender by people who were in the centre.
“She took the actions that she did saving a range of people’s lives; (she was) an inspector, a senior police officer – she was on her own.
“She engaged immediately on her arrival to the scene.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
