Australia: Body Found near Scene of Sydney Knife Attack

By Staff- Agencies

Australian police said they had discovered a body near the scene of a knife rampage in central Sydney on Tuesday, but were still determining whether it was linked to the attack.

A man stabbed a woman and attempted to stab several other people before being pinned down by members of the public and detained by police, eyewitnesses and officials said.

A video broadcast by Australia's Channel 7 media outlet showed the man jumping on the roof of a car brandishing a knife, shouting "Allahu Akbar" and "shoot me".

Police said the woman was in a stable condition and there were no immediate reports of other injuries, despite "a number of attempted stabbings by the same offender".

Police hailed the bravery of onlookers who stepped in and pinned the man down with chairs and a plastic crate.

"To approach a person... with clear evidence of a stabbing previously, these people are heroes," police spokesman superintendent Gavin Wood said.

Police said they had received reports of the man's remarks, but had not yet determined a motive.

"It would appear at this stage it is unprovoked but we are keeping a very open mind as we move forward," the spokesman said.