Bondi stabbing live updates: Everything we know about crazed killer who stabbed ... trends now

The man who fatally stabbed six shoppers before he was shot dead by a hero officer officer in a busy shopping centre was known to police.

Eight others were rushed to hospital with stab wounds including a nine-month-old baby.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealed on Saturday night that the bearded dark-haired man, 40, was known to law enforcement.

'We are waiting to formally identify him and we cannot speculate yet on his identification,' she said.

'But let me assure you that we are confident that there's no ongoing risk and we are dealing with one person who is now deceased.'

Police are yet to determine a motive but it has been ruled out as terrorism incident.

'We know a little bit about this person, but we're waiting to confirm his identification,' Commissioner Webb said.

'And if in fact it is the person that we believe it is, then we don't have fears for that person holding an ideation.

'In other words, that it's not a terrorism incident.'

Six shoppers were stabbed to death, including 38-year-old mother Dr Ash Good, whose nine-month-old baby daughter was also injured.

Eight others remain in hospital in various conditions.

The shopping centre has been closed and will remain shut on Sunday.

Witnesses say the frenzied attacker slashed at shoppers with his 30cm hunting knife as he went on a wild rampage throughout the centre.

He died in a hail of gunfire after he was shot by the lone female police inspector who ran through the shopping centre to confront him and stop his murderous rampage.

'All she said was "put it down". Just once,' witness Jason Dixon said.