Westfield Bondi mall attack: Sydney knife suspect identified by police
Australian police have identified the assailant responsible for a tragic incident at a Sydney shopping center, where a knife-wielding man took the lives of six individuals before being fatally shot.
The perpetrator, Joel Cauchi, aged 40, instigated chaos at the Westfield Bondi Junction complex on Saturday by wielding a lengthy blade and attacking patrons.
Among the deceased are five women and one man, with several others sustaining injuries, including a baby. Law enforcement authorities have indicated that the assault likely stemmed from the individual’s mental health issues.
Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke of the New South Wales Police provided an update on Sunday, mentioning ongoing efforts to inform the families of the victims, noting that two of them may not have relatives in Australia. Cauchi, originally from Queensland, had prior interactions with law enforcement and had acquired a storage unit in Sydney.
Cooke reiterated that there was no apparent ideological or motivational basis for the attacker’s actions.
The Health Minister, Ryan Park, shared that the nine-month-old infant, who underwent surgery and remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit, faces a challenging road to recovery.
Tragically, the child’s mother, Ashlee Good, was among those who lost their lives. Witnesses recounted how Ms. Good managed to pass her baby to bystanders after sustaining injuries.
“The mum got stabbed and the mum came over with the baby and threw it at me and (I) was holding the baby,” one man told Nine News.
Ms. Good’s family said they were “reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human and so much more”.
“We appreciate the well-wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl,” the family said in a statement.
Ms. Good was a “beautiful person”, the owners of a health clinic where she once worked told the BBC.
On Sunday, tributes of flowers began to pile up outside the huge shopping center in Sydney’s affluent east.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians were “waking up to try to deal with the shock and trauma” of what had happened.
Describing the attack as “unspeakable and just beyond comprehension”, Mr. Albanese again praised the actions of a lone senior policewoman who confronted Mr. Cauchi and shot him dead as horror gripped the mall.
“The wonderful inspector who ran into danger by herself and removed the threat that was there to others, without thinking about the risks to herself,” the prime minister said, thanking her and the emergency teams.
State officials said nine people had been taken to hospital after the incident, and another three people had sought medical attention overnight. About 40 paramedics were initially involved in the response.
The shopping centre remained closed on Sunday and forensic investigators pored over the scene.
Many world leaders have expressed shock. New Zealand leader Christopher Luxon said all New Zealanders were thinking of those affected, while UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said they were “in the thoughts and prayers of the British people”.
Pope Francis said he was deeply saddened by the “senseless tragedy” and offered prayers. King Charles added he and Queen Camilla were “utterly shocked” and “our hearts go out to the families and loved ones”.
