Man shot dead by police after attacker goes on stabbing rampage at WA shopping centre

The shopping centre where the incident unfolded.
The shopping centre where the incident unfolded. Photo credit: Google

Several people have been stabbed and the alleged offender has been shot dead by police after an incident in Western Australia, according to reports.

The incident unfolded at the South Hedland Square Shopping Centre in the Pilbara region of the state's northwest.

"Police can confirm that a male has died as a result of the incident at the South Hedland Square Shopping Centre.

"A number of people have received injuries and are currently being treated at Hedland Health Campus," local police said on Facebook.

The offender had stabbed a person in the carpark of a McDonald's restaurant before proceeding to the car park of the shopping centre to stab another victim, a witness told the North West Telegraph. 

"He then entered the centre through the Kmart entrance before stabbing a few more," the witness said, adding the offender proceeded to enter another store where the rampage continued.

The witness said the man was then shot by police in front of a juice outlet. There were a number of ambulances at the scene and mall workers were "visibly distressed", the North West Telegraph reported.

Police said an investigation is continuing, adding there were no further concerns about public safety in the area.