MERRYLANDS STABBING

One person is dead and two are critically injured after a stabbing at Merrylands in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Rohan Kelly

Chilling CCTV footage has emerged of a suspect fleeing the scene of a triple stabbing in Sydney’s west.

One man died and another two people were critically wounded in the horror daylight attack at Merrylands on Tuesday morning.

In footage supplied to NewsWire, a man dressed in a white T-shirt and hat walks along Railway Terrace, next to Merrylands train station, with his hands on his hips, appearing to be out of breath.

A woman pushing a pram about 20m in front of the man turns around and spots him.

She then disappears behind a truck parked on the street momentarily.

When the woman reappears again, she runs with the pram before vanishing off screen.

The suspect, still with his hands on his waist, then jogs behind the woman.

The stabbing sparked a large manhunt. It’s understood the suspect was arrested about 40 minutes later in the backyard of a home on Smythe St, just off Railway Terrace, and about a five-minute walk from the scene of the stabbing.

Detectives searched nearby gardens of other homes for evidence and doorknocked houses to interview locals.

Witnesses said they saw a man flee from the scene of the stabbing, which happened inside a mini supermarket, with a large knife.

It’s understood that the vision has been collected by detectives as part of their investigation.

One dead, two critically injured

Emergency services were called to Memorial Ave in Merrylands shortly after 10am on Tuesday after reports of a stabbing.

Officers were told at the scene that a man had stabbed multiple people before fleeing on foot along Merrylands Rd.

MERRYLANDS STABBING

One person was killed in the stabbing. Picture: NewsWire/ Rohan Kelly

MERRYLANDS STABBING

Two others were critically injured. Picture: NewsWire/ Rohan Kelly

One man died at the scene. He is yet to be identifiedbut is believed to be aged in his 30s or 40s, police say.

A 47-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man have been rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

It is understood the stabbing happened inside a mini market.

A man was arrested in a backyard of a property on Smythe St a short time later.

No charges have been laid.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Superintendent Simon Glasser said the arrested man was known to police for “low-level crime” and had a history of mental health issues.

“The alleged offender is known to police for petty crime and a number of mental health incidents,” he said.

He said the stabbing was likely a “random attack”.

“It’s very early in the investigation,” he said.

“Police are unaware at this point what the motive was … it appears it was a random attack.”

A kitchen knife about 20cm to 30cm in length was recovered from the scene.

“It’s unclear just yet if it is the weapon used in the offence,” he said.

STABBING DEATH

A man has been arrested following the stabbing. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

STABBING DEATH

The person who died has not been identified. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Superintendent Glasser said the scene was “highly confronting”.

“It’s a horrible offence to have taken place in Merrylands,” he said.

“Just prior to lunchtime, lots of people around. It would obviously be very confronting for anyone that was in the area at the time.”

‘Deathly scream”: Witnesses recall horror stabbing

Local man Joseph Ruissi said he was walking along Merrylands Rd towards the supermarket when he heard a woman’s “deathly scream” coming from inside a shop across the road.

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“It was horrible, absolutely horrible,” he said.

“I stopped in the middle of the road and there’s this lady who had a scarf around her neck. “There’s a man, he was holding her neck and there was blood gushing down onto her legs and scarf.”

Mr Ruissi said he did not get a clear look at the suspect, as his first thought was to help the woman, believed to be in her 30s.

“All I was worried about was the poor thing,” he said.

“Every second felt like a year.”

STABBING DEATH

Joseph Ruissi rushed to help a woman injured in the incident. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

STABBING DEATH

The incident reportedly took place at a mini mart. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Another local who had just visited the pharmacy said he saw a “lanky” man holding a large knife walk past him towards the train station.

Police were at the station moments later, with commuters telling officers the man had crossed the overpass.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.