‘Bloody amazing’: Dad’s heartbreaking act for children in Bondi massacre

Footage of a father has gone viral after he was filmed exiting Bondi Junction with his children in the wake of the deadly stabbing attack.

Footage of a father leading his children out of a Sydney shopping centre in eye masks following a deadly mass stabbing attack is going viral on social media.

Six people, including the alleged offender, have been confirmed dead following the harrowing Saturday afternoon attack at Bondi Junction Westfield.

Multiple other people, including a mother and nine-month-old baby, suffered stab wounds.

An assailant, named as Queensland man Joel Cauchi, began running around the busy shopping centre armed with a knife and stabbing people across multiple floors of the busy centre at 3.30pm.

The man was shot dead by a “heroic” police officer who confronted the assailant.

Multiple people have been seen fleeing the shopping centre in the wake of the attack, including a father who it seems went to great lengths to protect his children from the horrific scenes.

“Just saw two young children on the news with eye masks over their eyes, being guided by their father out of Bondi Junction shopping centre,” a user wrote on X.

“That man covered their eyes so they wouldn’t see the horrors of what has just happened. That’s a bloody amazing father.”

Footage shows the masked children clinging to their father’s sides as he leads them outside the shopping centre.

Social media user’s were quick to praise the dad’s quick thinking, but also shared their horror at the fact that he was confronted with that situation in the first place.

“Imagine being that father having to do that to protect your kids’ sanity. Amazing dad,” one said.

“That was so heartbreaking to watch. Praying for the safety of everyone,” another said.

One person added: “So very sad. Well done dad for thinking so quickly in a distressing situation.”

Alleged offender ‘acted alone’

Authorities believe the alleged offender “acted alone”, with Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke telling reporters on Saturday evening he is “content that there is no continuing threat”.

“I do not have information in relation to the offender,” he said.

“I do not know at this stage who he is.”

Anthony Albanese has now also released a statement, explaining he has been briefed by the AFP on what he called the “devastating events at Bondi Junction”.

“Tragically, multiple casualties have been reported and the first thoughts of all Australians are with those affected and their loved ones,” he said.

The Attorney General said there is no information that proves the attack is terror-related, but the AFP are consulting with NSW Police are will activate a joint counter terrorism team if necessary.

A man with a knife was seen inside Westfield Bondi Junction. Picture: X

Five people have been confirmed dead. Picture: Supplied

Crowds of panicked shoppers were seen running as tactical police stormed the shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

One witness told news.com.au that they saw the bodies of two young people in front of the JD Sports store on level four, with horrific footage showing many more people injured.

Footage has been circulating showing police offers attempting to save the lives of multiple victims by administering CPR.

Two men speaking to Nine News described the scene inside the store, revealing a baby and her mother were stabbed in the attack.

“The baby got stabbed and, yeah the mum got stabbed,” one of the men said.

“The mum came over with the baby and threw it at me. And [I was] just holding the baby. Yeah. Looked pretty bad.”

Australians react to harrowing scenes

Members of the public have shared their horrified reactions online as fresh details continue to emerge.

“This is absolutely tragic for all involved. How can this happen in Australia?” one person wrote on social media.

Another shared their shock at an attack of this nature unfolding in a “public place in this country”.

Australians have reacted in horror at the tragedy. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Scenes at Bondi Junction where at least five people were killed. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Others have likened the scenes to something that they would expect to see in America, not here in Australia.

“It’s terrible. We are becoming as bad as the US & other countries,” one person said.

Many people are sending their thoughts to the victims and the families of those involved in the tragedy.

“The footage circulating in Twitter is horrendous. Poor victims and first responders,” one person wrote.

“This is just shocking and on another level,” another said.

One added: “Gut wrenching, so sorry to those who have lost their loved ones in this barbaric act.”

Originally published as ‘Bloody amazing’: Dad’s heartbreaking act for children in Bondi massacre