A MAN has been stabbed to death in front of shoppers at a major shopping mall in Sydney’s west.

The stabbing, which occurred at Westfield Parramatta about 10.30am today was a targeted attack, police said.

The incident is understood to have happened on level four near the cosmetics counter in Myer.

A witness, who didn’t want to be named, told AAP the attacker kept, “plunging the knife in his chest, in and out” and then paced up and down screaming at police.

“He taunted the police saying ‘what are you scared of’.”

The man reportedly left the knife — estimated to be 30cm long — embedded in the victims chest.

The witness said: “Everyone was very scared and begging for somebody to stop the attack ... There was blood everywhere.”

Another onlooker told Macquarie Radio the attacker took off his shirt and lit a cigarette while waiting for police.

Acting Superintendent Jennifer Scholz told reporters the men were “connected” in some way and were trying to determine if the attack was over a woman.

“That is one lead we are following up.”

The investigation was at an early stage but it is not thought to be bikie-related. The men were known to each other, reportedly through an ex-girlfriend.

Supt Scholz said there was “no need for anybody to be concerned in regards to their safety”.

It’s thought the man talked on a mobile phone as well as smoking the cigarette while he waited for police.

On arrival at the mall officers from Parramatta Local Command found the body of man inside the shopping centre.

A Westfield staff member said the man appeared “calm”.

Cafe worker Paulo Agcaoili also saw the attack.

“There was a man with a knife, a big one, like a machete,” he told the Parramatta Advertiser.

“He was standing in Myer stabbing someone.”

Other witnesses said several police tasered the shirtless man, who had a large tattoo on his back, according to Macquarie Radio.

The 33-year-old is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

A worker in the shopping centre said she saw police tackle a man to the ground. She said the man “was shirtless and looked off his head”.

About 30 shops in the centre near the stabbing were forced into lockdown, and will stay closed until at least tomorrow. The rest of the centre stayed open.

The centre was busy with shoppers due to the NSW school holidays.

A Westfield spokeswoman said the centre is offering counselling to staff and customers. Distraught staff are being interviewed by police.

Shocked customers were directed out of the mall by Westfield staff, who helped police keep people out of the building.

One person was so upset an ambulance had to be called for them.

Anyone with information the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

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