Last Update: March 01, 2023, 00:25 IST
The Consulate General of India said that Ahmed had been identified as a suspect in a stabbing incident at Auburn railway station. (Image: Reuters / Representative)
Police officers are probing whether mental health played a role in Ahmed stabbing the cleaner and threatening the police officers
A 32-year-old Indian national was shot dead by Australian police on Tuesday after he allegedly stabbed a cleaner and threatened law enforcement officers at a railway station in Sydney.
Mohammed Rahmatullah Syed Ahmed, who hails from Tamil Nadu, was identified by the Consulate General India In Sydney, as the man who was fatally shot by the police.
The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper quoted police officers as saying Ahmed allegedly attacked the 28-year-old cleaner at Sydney’s Auburn train station on Tuesday before arriving at Auburn police station.
The report states that two police officers were leaving the station when Ahmed tried to attack them.
A police officer fired three shots, two of which hit Ahmed in the chest. A probationary constable also used his taser on him.
Ahmed was immediately treated by paramedics and taken to a local hospital. But he was declared brought dead, the report said.
It added that police officers are investigating whether mental health played a role in Ahmed stabbing the cleaner and threatening the police officers.
The report states that Ahmed had five previous interactions with the police, all of which were non-criminal and related to COVID-19.
He was living in Australia on a bridging visa.
“The incident is extremely disturbing and unfortunate. The consulate said, “We have formally taken up the matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New South Wales office, as well as the state police authorities.”
New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith told a news conference on Tuesday that officers had only seconds to respond and were left with no choice but to shoot Ahmed.
“I fully support these officers. It is painful. This is a significant incident in one of our police stations,” he said.
“There’s no imminent time. It’s immediate. He launches at the officers through the glass doors; they had little time to react,” he said.
The report said Smith said the counter-terrorism unit would be brought in to help with the investigation.
Meanwhile, the police have spoken to the sweeper, who has been admitted to a local hospital and his condition is said to be stable.
Smith said the assailant had suffered a puncture wound to his left arm before continuing to “slash” him in a frantic attack after he fell to the ground.
The report quoted police officials as saying that the two men did not know each other.
“We are working through him and his family to get his side and that will be part of the important event,” he added.
The Consulate General of India said that Ahmed had been identified as a suspect in the stabbing incident at Auburn railway station, and that it was providing all possible assistance to the police.
“We ask for a full report on the circumstances of the shooting of an Indian national,” the consulate said.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)