Identity of 20-year-old man charged over attempted murder of rookie police officer with a SPEAR and SWORD is revealed
Sydney man Andrea Surace has been charged with 11 serious offences after allegedly stabbing a rookie NSW police officer with a 50cm sword during a violent attack in Sydney’s south-west on Friday night.
His charges include two counts of attempted murder, four counts of wounding with intent to resist arrest, and wounding a police officer in the line of duty.
Additional charges include using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, resisting police, breaching bail conditions, and contravening an apprehended violence order.
According to investigators, Surace first threw a spear before charging at one of the officers with a sword.
An image shared to Surace’s social media account see him holding what appears to be a sword and a spear.
Daily Mail is not able to confirm if they are the same as the weapons allegedly used during the confrontation.
Police allege Surace launched a frenzied assault on four officers who had been dispatched to a property on Werombi Road in Grasmere around 5:20pm.
The team, which included two probationary constables and two senior officers, were responding to reports of a breach of an apprehended violence order and conducting a routine welfare check.
Alleged attacker Andrea Surace (pictured) holding what appears to be sword and a spear
Andrea Surace (pictured) faces two counts of attempted murder among other serious charges
Superintendent Paul Condon said officers deployed several tactical options, including a taser and OC spray, but none were initially successful in stopping the suspect.
Moments later, Surace allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old probationary constable in the upper right thigh, causing a deep 20cm wound.
Fellow officers immediately applied tourniquets to stem the bleeding and provided life-saving first aid until NSW Ambulance crews arrived.
The injured officer was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious but stable condition and is awaiting surgery.
Superintendent Condon described the body-worn camera footage as ‘extremely distressing’ and praised the bravery of all four officers involved.
‘Police are confronted day in, day out by violent situations like this,’ he said.
‘It escalated extremely quickly and again I commend my officers for what they’ve done.’
He added that the officers’ quick thinking likely prevented a tragedy, calling their actions ‘incredibly brave’.
The young officer was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital on Friday after he was stabbed
The 28-year-old is still in hospital recovering from the incident, where he is awaiting surgery
Detectives later seized a knife, hatchet, and spear from the scene.
Surace was arrested after being tasered and taken into custody.
He will face court on Sunday, and will appear in court again on Monday for a hearing related to an Apprehended Violence Application.
