âWe didnât even think twiceâ: Man who restrained Sydney knifeman says heâd do it again
Image: Nine News
The civilians who took on a knife-wielding attacker in Sydney yesterday have been lauded as heroes.
The four men restrained the attacker with chairs and a milk crate, ending a stabbing spree which killed one woman and hospitalised another.
Paul OâShaughnessy, one of the men who chased the knife-wielding man, said he âdidnât even think twiceâ about following him.
âMy brother went to the window. He could see that this guy wielding a knife and putting everybody in the public in danger,â he told 3AWâs Neil Mitchell.
âWe just ran after him.
âWe went out because we are physically fit guys, and there are going to be kids on the streets, thereâs going to be mums, and even men that may not necessarily be as physical as us.
âWe ended up pinning this guy down until the cops came.â
Mr OâShaughnessy said finding out the attacker is mentally unwell has changed his thoughts on the attack.
âIâve just got nothing but empathy for the situation, for his family, for the victimâs family,â he said.
Self defence and martial arts teacher, Daniel Jones, says heâs not surprised the public are taking on criminals.
It was only a matter of time before people were going to start fighting back,â he told 3AWâs Neil Mitchell.
âWeâre unfortunately seeing more and more incidents happening in Australia and throughout the world.
âItâs only natural that eventually people are going to want to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.â
But Mr Jones warned there are many risks involved in intervening.
âEven if youâre well trained, if youâve got a committed attacker the chances of you walking out without being harmed yourself are always going to be pretty low,â he said.
âMost times you confront someone with a knife you should expect to bleed.â
Press PLAY below to hear what Paul OâShaughnessy had to say to Neil Mitchell.
Press PLAY for more from self defence and martial arts teacher Daniel Jones.