Murder charge after stabbing attack near train station

A man accused of a random stabbing attack that killed a man has been charged with murder.

The alleged attack, which left two other people in a critical condition, occurred in the western Sydney suburb of Merrylands on Tuesday morning.

Police allege that a 25-year-old man stabbed two people in a store on the street and stabbed a third person outside the venue.

The alleged attacker fled on foot, but was soon arrested in a nearby street and later charged with murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.

The man, who was refused bail, is expected to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

A 38-year-old man was determined to have died at the scene, while a 47-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were treated at the hospital.

On Tuesday, forensic police were seen going in and out of a Nepali grocery store and the corridor leading to an accounting firm and educational qualification agency.

Inspector Simon Glasser said a knife approximately 25cm long was used in the stabbings.

“The alleged criminal is known to the police for minor crimes and a number of mental health issues,” he told reporters.

“He has no connection to the address (where) he was found, but he is a local of that area.”

Police found no relationship between the victims and treated the investigation as if the attacks were random.

Supt Glasser said the fatal incident could have been “extremely confronting” for passersby before lunch, when many people were on the shopping street near the local train station.

Staff at the restaurant opposite the scene said they did not see the attack but expected it to affect trade in the area.