Sydney, Australia – A 39-year-old woman is recovering in the hospital after being stabbed multiple times in a gym parking lot in Alexandria. The incident, which occurred at Crunch Fitness on O’Riordan Street around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, left the woman with serious injuries. Police have linked the attack to a man with whom she had a brief domestic relationship.
Authorities are in pursuit of the suspect, a 45-year-old man with a history of domestic violence offenses, who fled the scene in a 2006 Ford Focus. He was later apprehended after walking into Dee Why police station on Thursday morning and subsequently taken into custody at Manly police station. Charges are pending.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing screams and witnessing the attack in the parking lot. One witness stated that they saw the man on top of the woman before another bystander intervened to stop the assault. The attacker then drove away from the scene. Police believe a kitchen knife was used in the violent incident.
The stabbing comes amidst heightened concerns over domestic violence and knife crimes in Sydney following a series of high-profile incidents. In response, the state government has introduced new measures to address knife crime, including the implementation of Jack’s Law. This new law grants police increased powers to conduct searches for knives in public areas without a warrant, such as train stations.
Premier Chris Minns condemned the attack, describing it as “horrifying and shocking.” He emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue of domestic violence in the state, characterizing it as an emergency. Minns highlighted the prevalence of such incidents in New South Wales, stressing the need for immediate action to combat the crisis.
The community is left shaken by this violent assault as authorities work to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in the area. Investigations are ongoing as police seek to bring the perpetrator to justice and prevent future incidents of this nature.