The devastated family of a man who died in a horror stabbing spree has shared their ‘deep pain’ over his shock death.
Amamuddin Sadar, 38, was one of three people allegedly attacked by Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa in Merrylands, western Sydney, about 10am on Tuesday.
The alleged attack erupted inside an Asian grocery store where two people – a 47-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man – were stabbed with a 30cm kitchen knife.
The assault continued on the footpath of the suburban shopping strip, with Mr Sadar stabbed as he cowered in a stairwell.
The 38-year-old was the eldest of five children and had immigrated to Australia from Afghanistan in search of a better life.
Leaaetoa, who escaped a mental health facility 10 days before the alleged attack, was arrested in the backyard of a nearby property.
He was charged with one count of murder and two counts of wounding with intent to murder and did not apply for bail in court on Wednesday.
‘We are in shock. We are going through a deep pain,’ his sister Meena told 9News. ‘We cannot explain our pain.’
Amamuddin Sadar was fatally stabbed on Tuesday in Merrylands, Sydney
Mr Sadar’s family, including sister Meena (right) described him as a hardworking man
Setefano Leaaetoa, 25, allegedly approached the woman at the counter with a large blade before stabbing her in the neck, then attacking Mr Sadar
Mr Sadar’s family described him as a hardworking man who took care of his friends and family, and loved his adopted community.
His siblings said their parents, who are still in Afghanistan, have been hospitalised upon hearing the news of their son’s death.
Guildford resident Joseph Ruissi told the Daily Telegraph he saw a man tending to the female victim’s neck in the aftermath of the attack.
‘Blood was pouring down the side of her neck and across her chest and she was coughing blood from her mouth,’ he said.
Hours after the attack it emerged that Leaaetoa had fled intensive in-patient mental health treatment while being transferred between hospitals.
Western Sydney Local Health District confirmed a patient undergoing acute mental health treatment for a complex condition was ‘alleged to be involved in the incident’.
‘This person absconded from care while being transferred from Cumberland Hospital to Westmead Hospital emergency department for further medical assessment,’ it said.
‘NSW Police were notified, and contact was made with the patient’s family, but all attempts by [Western Sydney Local Health District] to contact the person were unsuccessful.’
Police described the incident as ‘highly confronting’
Detectives seized a knife from a garden in the suburb which has been taken for testing
The NSW government is reviewing security at Cumberland Hospital after a second patient, Luke Francis, escaped from the same facility within days of Leaaetoa.
He allegedly attacked a nurse and escaped the hospital, before leading police on a dramatic car chase and colliding with another vehicle in Camden, killing two women.
Francis was taken to Campbelltown Hospital for mandatory testing before he was charged with 11 offences including two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and driving in a dangerous manner.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said police were not pursuing the suspect during the 40-minute period leading up to the crash.
The Nurses Union has revealed that Cumberland Hospital only has three security guards to cover the entire facility.
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