"Many lives saved"

“Policewoman in Sydney saved many lives”

This policewoman caught the Sydney knife attacker on Saturday afternoon (local time).(Bild: X/World News)

At least six people were killed in a knife attack in Sydney on Saturday. Several injured people had to be taken to hospital with stab wounds (see video above). If a policewoman had not acted decisively and shot the perpetrator, there might have been more victims.

Her colleagues emphasized this after the incident. She had reacted quickly and decisively, saving many lives. After the perpetrator had attacked nine people, the policewoman confronted him and grabbed her service weapon. "If she hadn't done that, he would have carried on," an eyewitness told ABC. "He was running amok." 

The policewoman confronted the perpetrator and shot him.(Bild: X/World News)

Her colleagues described her actions as decisive. She saved many lives.(Bild: AFP)

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the shopping center.(Bild: AP)

Many feared for their loved ones.(Bild: AFP)

Provided emergency aid
The policewoman then provided emergency assistance, but the man succumbed to his serious injuries. "He had a nice big blade on him. He looked like someone in a killing frenzy", the eyewitness continued. Others reported that they had barricaded themselves in stores. People present rushed to help the stabbed people. Several reports showed crowds of people outside the shopping center, fearing for their loved ones. 

This is where the attack took place.

Identity of the man unclear
The identity of the man and his motive are still unclear. The investigation will be "long and precise", said the police in the Australian state of New South Wales, which includes Sydney. There were no indications of motives or ideologies at the crime scene. Therefore, a terrorist background is not currently assumed.

Australia has one of the strictest gun laws in the world. The perpetrator is said to have attacked around nine people. Most recently, there was talk of seven dead and seven injured. The Australian Prime Minister spoke of "devastating events". It was a "terrible act of violence." Innocent people who simply wanted to do their shopping were stabbed indiscriminately.