Police are investigating the shooting of four people at a Sydney shopping centre yesterday, which brought down an knife-wielding man but left three innocent bystanders with gunshot wounds.
A video of the incident showing 23-year-old Jerry Sourian running at a female police officer, kitchen knife in hand, before being taken down by police at Hornsby Westfield has been widely circulated.
A second video, obtained by Nine News Sydney (featured above), shows the emotional moment the same police officer realises innocent shoppers were injured in the shoot out.
Jerry Sourian lunges at a police officer. Source: Nine News
In the smartphone footage, the officer can be heard apologising to bystanders after the shocking realisation some had been hit by police bullets.
Blood can be seen flowing from a woman's leg as the officer rushes over to her.
"Oh sh*t, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry," she can be heard saying.
Three elderly women suffered serious gunshot wounds in the incident, which occurred just before midday yesterday.
A NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said police had a matter of seconds to make a decision in "life and death circumstances."
"The officers have fired shots at the offender, he was wounded several times — unfortunately some bystanders were also injured with other bullet or fragment wounds," Mr Clifford said.
"If a Taser was available a decision was made by those officers in a life and death situation"
Sourian had been seen wandering outside the centre looking "drug-induced and depressed" and babbling incoherently” just before the drama unfolded, according to Nine News.
It's since been revealed he had gone missing from Hornsby Hospital psychiatric ward two weeks ago.
Top Comments
I feel nothing but empathy for this officer, who was obviously under incredible stress in a high-pressure situation. She didn't have time to be careful.
I also feel empathy for the wounded- what a horrific experience.
I do not think this police officer should be publicly vilified, as I'm not sure how many of us could have done a better job whilst also preventing any deaths from occurring.
Just an awful situation all round. Hope everyone is OK.
Of course she is sorry for hurting someone, it is the normal human response. She may have also prevented the stabbings and death of countless other innocent people.
If anyone from the Police is reading this, thanks for doing a tough job which I know I could not handle.
Yes... But maybe some retraining for her? Aim the weapon, keep your eyes OPEN when you fire? 3 innocent people hit? Jeez
couldn't agree more - her apology wasn't of guilt (that she did the wrong thing), but of compassion that innocent peple were caught in the middle.
I'm guessing you would do a much better job. Love arm chair critics with no experience.
More time for training, absolutely. But it is extremely hard to be accurate with a handgun in a low-pressure situation such as a firing range, let alone in a busy and noisy public area, full of distractions, with an armed, deranged person threatening your life and others.