By Sarah Keoghan and Olivia Ireland
Indian national Mohamed Rahmathullah Syed Ahmed has been identified by the Consulate General of India as the man who was fatally shot by police on Tuesday.
Detectives are investigating whether mental health played a part in the death of Syed Ahmed who they say stabbed a cleaner, then threatened officers with a knife before being fatally shot by police.
Police said the 32-year-old man attacked the 28-year-old cleaner at Auburn train station in Sydney’s west at 12.03am on Tuesday before arriving at Auburn police station about five minutes later.
The attacker was from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and was living in Auburn on a bridging visa.
“The incident is extremely disturbing and unfortunate. We have formally taken up the matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NSW Office as well as state police authorities,” the consulate said in a statement.
Two officers tried to leave the police station to respond to reports of the stabbing but were confronted by Syed Ahmed, who tried to attack them.
The senior officer fired three shots, two of which hit Syed Ahmed in the chest. A probationary constable used her Taser on the man.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics and was rushed to Westmead Hospital, but was pronounced dead just after 1.30am.
At a press conference on Tuesday morning, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said the officers had just seconds to respond and were left with no choice but to shoot the man.
“I fully support these officers. It’s traumatic. It’s a significant incident at one of our police stations,” he said.
“There just isn’t an impending time. It is immediate. He launches through the glass doors at the officers; they had very little time to react.”
Smith said the counter-terrorism unit would be brought in to help in the investigation.
Asked about the role of the counter-terrorism unit, Smith said “it’s part of our model in terms of response. Obviously, when someone armed themselves with a knife and stabs an individual and then tries to attack police, which is the CCTV footage, [it] is highly concerning.
“When that’s involved, it triggers a number of intelligence responses and investigative responses which we’re dealing with.”
Syed Ahmed had five previous interactions with police, all of which were non-criminal and COVID-19 related.
Smith said mental health would be a significant line of inquiry.
Detectives have already spoken to the cleaner, who was taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.
Smith said he suffered a puncture wound to his left forearm before the attacker continued to “slash” him in a frenzied attack after he fell to the ground. The two men were not known to each other, police say.
“We’re working through him and his family in getting his version and it’ll be part of the critical incident,” he said.
The Consulate General of India said it was informed Syed Ahmed was identified as a suspect in the stabbing incident at Auburn Railway Station, and it was providing all possible assistance to police.
“We ask for a complete report on the circumstances of the shooting of an Indian national,” the consulate said.
On Tuesday morning, forensic officers could be seen taking photographs of the scene at the police station, where clothes and medical equipment were strewn on the ground in front of the reception area.
The station remains closed and members of the public are being directed to a temporary station outside on the street.
Transport for NSW said Auburn railway station was closed immediately after the incident but reopened about 4am.
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