Jerry Sourian, 23, today faced a bedside hearing at Royal North Shore Hospital, where he’s recovering following the incident at Hornsby Westfield on Thursday.

He was refused bail to appear in Hornsby Local Court next week.

He faces a number of charges, namely attempted murder, after a female leading senior constable shot him multiple times when he allegedly refused to put down a knife at the packed shopping centre just before midday.

The other charges are armed with intent to commit serious indictable offence and affray.

Despite being shot twice, he continued to stagger around before finally keeling over in front of shocked shoppers.

Three women suffered ricochet gunshot wounds from the police bullets.

The elderly women remain in hospital.

Anne-Marie Petitfils, 60, has undergone three rounds of surgery after she suffered a ricochet gun wound to the left calf, damaging a major artery.

Lorraine Pendleton, 82, suffered a ricochet gunshot to her lower left leg, while Elaine For, 65, suffered a fractured kneecap.

A critical incident investigation is looking into the shooting.

Sourian had absconded from Hornsby Hospital’s mental health unit the day before the shooting following an argument with his family during a one-hour “escorted leave” visit.

He had also gone missing from the hospital in the weeks before the shooting.

His sister told The Daily Telegraph that her brother was gentle and “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.