One dead, two critically injured in Merrylands stabbing; suspect in custody as police investigate motive

One man is dead and two others are fighting for their lives after a late-morning stabbing spree near a train station in Merrylands, western Sydney, prompting a major police response and the swift arrest of a suspect now in custody. Police responded to a stabbing in Merrylands at about 10 am Tuesday(February 17).

Police recovered a 20–30 cm knife, but it’s unclear if it was used in the attacks.

According to the Guardian website, officers were informed that a man had fled on foot after stabbing multiple people. Paramedics treated three people at the scene, where one died, while a 22-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were taken to the hospital in critical condition.


Police have not formally identified the deceased but said he was aged between 30 and 40.

Shortly before 11 am, a man was arrested on Smythe Street and taken to Granville Police Station.

Superintendent Simon Glasser said the crime scene spanned 50 metres along Merrylands Road and remained cordoned off at 1:30 pm, adding there was no known link between the attacker and the victims, with two stabbings inside a premises and one on the street.

“Police are unaware at this point what the motive was,” he said. “It’s a horrible offence to have taken place in Merrylands just prior to lunchtime with lots of people around.”

The superintendent called it a “confronting scene” and said the alleged offender, known for petty crime and mental health issues, had no link to the arrest location.

Glasser said the suspect is expected to face court Tuesday afternoon.