Sydney: A man was killed and two people were critically injured in a stabbing attack Tuesday along a busy shopping strip in western Sydney in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state. The attack unfolded on Merrylands Road in the suburb of Merrylands, a bustling commercial area, where emergency services responded to reports of a man stabbing several individuals before fleeing the scene on foot.

According to Anadolu Agency, a man believed to be in his 30s or 40s died at the scene despite emergency efforts. A 22-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were transported to the hospital in critical condition. Authorities revealed that two of the stabbings occurred within a business premises, while a third took place on the footpath outside.

Police apprehended a suspect behind a nearby house on Smythe Street, subsequently taking him to Granville Police Station. NSW Police Superintendent Simon Glasser stated, "The alleged offender is known to police for petty crime and a number of mental health incidents." The authorities disclosed that the man had escaped from care more than a week ago while being transferred between hospitals.

The Western Sydney Local Health District reported that the suspect was receiving treatment at Cumberland Hospital, which specializes in care for individuals with complex mental health needs. "On 7 February 2026, this person absconded from care while being transferred from Cumberland Hospital to Westmead Hospital emergency department for further medical assessment," a district spokesperson stated.

A crime scene has been established as police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.