Man charged over Sydney shooting

A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly running at officers with a knife and sparking a police shooting at a Sydney shopping centre.

Two officers swooped on a busy market square at Westfield Hornsby in Sydney's north last week following reports a young man was acting erratically, armed with a large carving knife.

Several shots were fired when Jerry Sourian allegedly ran at officers who had told him to put down the knife.

The 23-year-old, who had recently gone missing from a psychiatric hospital, was struck along with four innocent bystanders.

Two women, aged 65 and 82, and the alleged attacker were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where they remain in a stable condition.

A 60-year-old woman was taken to Westmead Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

Another man also suffered a graze to his leg.

Sourian was visited by investigators at hospital on Wednesday and charged with attempted murder, being armed with intent to commit a serious indictable offence and affray.

He is being treated for multiple gunshots sustained during the incident.

He was refused bail and will appear in Hornsby Local Court on June 22.

A critical incident team has been formed to investigate the incident.