One dead, two in critical condition in Sydney’s west
Updated ,first published
The man who allegedly killed one man and seriously injured two others in a stabbing attack in Sydney’s west escaped mental health treatment while being transferred between hospitals 10 days ago.
The 25-year-old man is currently in police custody but has not yet been charged after he was arrested in a nearby street at around 10am on Tuesday, shortly after the alleged attack in Merrylands.
Witnesses described “disturbing” scenes in Merrylands Road where they heard a terrifying scream, pedestrians ran from danger and others ran to help bleeding victims, while the man allegedly stabbed multiple people with a large kitchen knife before fleeing on foot.
A person aged between 30 and 40 died at the scene. He has not yet been officially identified. Two more people, a 47-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, were hospitalized in a critical condition.
It was stated that the alleged attacker was known to the police due to minor crimes and mental health problems.
Western Sydney Local Health District confirmed in a statement that one person “allegedly involved in the incident” was an acute inpatient with complex mental health needs 10 days before the alleged assault.
“This individual escaped care while being transported from Cumberland Hospital to Westmead Hospital emergency department for further medical evaluation,” the health district said.
“NSW Police have been notified and the patient’s family has been contacted, but all efforts [Western Sydney Local Health District] Contacting the person was unsuccessful.”
The health district said a senior external psychiatrist would be involved in a formal review of the man’s treatment and care.
“We also extend our condolences to the first responders affected by this incident.”
The alleged attack spread from one end of the block to the other, with the scene stretching for approximately 50 metres.
CCTV footage published by Nine News showed the man running on the road next to the train tracks shortly after the alleged attacks. Terrified, a woman pushing a baby stroller in front of him began running to escape before he could pass her.
An attack occurred inside or outside Bina’s Nepalese grocery store on Merrylands Road, just around the corner from Granville MP Julia Finn’s office. Medical equipment and police forensic signs were dotted along the street.
Joseph Roussini, 59, called Triple Zero after hearing a woman “screaming for her life.”
“I could see a man and a woman coming out of the store, the man was holding the woman by her neck, blood was flowing from her neck and he was trying to stop the bleeding,” he said.
“[She] “He was in a terrible situation.”
He said bystanders rushed to help and every “second passed like a year” as they waited for paramedics.
A shop owner said he heard a scream and saw people “running” down the street. Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she saw dark police cars driving along the street and helicopters circling above her shortly after the incident.
“It was really sad,” he said. “I don’t feel safe.”
None of the victims were related to each other.
Riot police combed the area, marching through gardens and knocking on doors before the 25-year-old man was arrested.
Footage released by NSW Police showed the handcuffed and barefoot man being taken from the police car to Granville Police Station. He is expected to be charged later Tuesday.
Inspector Simon Glasser said police quickly locked down the area but it took around 40 minutes to find the suspected criminal.
The man was known to police for minor crimes and a string of mental health incidents, Glasser said.
“It was extremely confronting. It was a horrific attack that occurred,” Glasser said.
Police also found a 20-30 centimeter kitchen knife believed to have been used in the attack near the scene.
Be the first to know when important news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts Turn on notifications in email or in the app.
Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
