THE 24-year-old victim of the Sydney stabbing rampage has been identified, after it was revealed three hero Brits fought off a knife-wielding attacker with a chair before pinning him to the ground with a milk crate.
The woman murdered in the horror knife attack has been named as Michaela Dunn.
The 24-year-old was allegedly killed at an apartment on Clarence Street in city’s CBD on Tuesday by Mert Ney, a 20-year-old who police say had a history of mental health issues.
The suspect was filmed yelling “Allahu Akbar ” and “shoot me in the f****** face” as he ran through the Australian city with a bloody knife before brave witnesses – including three Brits – tackled him to the ground.
Dramatic footage showed one man bravely confronting the apparent knifeman with a chair after he jumped onto a car.
Witnesses, since praised for their bravery, then appeared to apprehend the suspect in chaotic scenes – pinning him down under the chair and putting a milk crate on his head.
Police say a 21-year-old woman was found dead in a separate crime scene and confirmed it was linked to today’s rampage.
They said the 21-year-old suspect stabbed a 41-year-old woman in the back, and was rushed to hospital where she is now in stable condition.
Three Brits have since recounted the moment they ran to help pin the suspected knifeman to the ground.
They told the Australian paper: “We had a window open to get some air in and then we just heard the commotion […] we looked out and saw him on top of a car wielding a knife and we all just kind of reacted from there.
“We just tried to get down as quick as we could. You don’t think, you just kind of react really, it was surreal, very, very surreal.
“We all kind of chased, worked together, but it was Luke who was the real hero. He pursued him the hardest and managed to get a grip of him.”
Paul, a former Bury midfielder who moved to Australia in 2008 to play for North Sydney, added: “My brother Luke managed to keep him pinned down until the police arrived.
“My brother put a crate and a chair to keep him pinned down. He didn’t show any remorse at all.”
Terrifying photos show the suspect then being led away by police, with his grey jumper covered in blood.
Today Michaela’s family issued a statement through the New South Wales police requesting privacy.
“While her family appreciate the support offered by the community, they have requested their privacy at this difficult time,” the statement read.
Dunn’s mother told Nine News her daughter was a “beautiful, loving woman who had studied at university and travelled widely”.
Friend Joan Westenberg said she had known Dunn since she was 14 and told Guardian Australia she was “an incredible person. In every single way”.
“Her sister and I were together for six years, and Mikki was like my baby sister,” she said.
“I cannot describe how sad and how broken I am at this moment. I loved this kid. She was incredible.”
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