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The knife attacker who killed six people in a stabbing spree at a Sydney shopping centre before being shot dead was a 40-year-old man with mental health issues, police have said.
New South Wales Police said they had identified the attacker as Joel Cauchi, of Queensland, with his family describing his actions as “truly horrific”.
Shoppers were left terrified after Cauchi began attacking random members of the public at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon, before he was shot dead by a “hero” lone police officer.
Four of his victims have now been identified, and include first-time mother Ash Good, 38, who was killed while desperately trying to save her nine-month-old baby, who was also wounded and has undergone surgery.
One eyewitness reported seeing Ms Good’s baby with stab wounds, with the “terrified” mother attempting to console her child as they were taken to an ambulance.
His other victims include 25-year-old Dawn Singleton, security guard Faraz Tahir, and 47-year-old architect and surf enthusiast Jade Young.
Other witnesses reported hearing gunshots as they hid inside stores, with one saying of the attacker: “He had a nice big blade on him. He looked like he was on a killing spree.”
Sydney mall attack: Everything we know so far
Videos have since emerged of the attacker, identified as Joel Cauchi, wearing a rugby league shirt and carrying a large blade, with shoppers fleeing in panic.
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Family tribute to ‘beautiful’ mother Ashlee Good
A statement obtained by Australia’s national broadcaster ABC from Ashlee Good’s family said: “Today we are 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 statement continued: “We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday, our baby is currently doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
“The two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not – words cannot express our gratitude. We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred.”
A statement from Australian Rules Football club North Melbourne shared their condolences for Ms Good. Her father Kerry played 74 games for the club and served as a director.
The club wore black armbands in honour of Ashlee during their match on Sunday.
More details emerge of knifeman’s itinerant lifestyle
Cauchi had recently moved to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, from neighbouring Queensland. Police said they had searched a small storage facility he had been renting but found no major evidence to indicate an attack was coming.
He had been diagnosed with mental health issues when he was 17 and had been in contact with police frequently in the past four to five years, said Queensland Police assistant commissioner Roger Lowe. Cauchi had not been arrested or charged with any crimes in Queensland, he added.
Cauchi led an itinerant lifestyle, had recently been sleeping in his car and had only infrequently stayed in touch with his mother via text messages, Lowe said.
His family had contacted the police after seeing footage of the attack on television.
Fifth victim named as artist Pikria Darchia
The fifth victim of the stabbing spree was identified by police as 55-year-old Pikria Darchia.
Ms Darchia described herself as an artist on her LinkedIn profile, which stated she worked in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi from 2003 to 2013 as a designer.
She then spent three years studying at Sydney’s City East Community College in Bondi Junction from 2013.
Pictured: Hero police officer who shot dead Sydney knifeman
The heroic police officer who single-handedly stopped Joel Cauchi, the attacker at Westfield Bondi Junction, has been named and pictured.
Inspector Amy Scott had been carrying out routine duties nearby when she rushed to the shopping centre, shortly after reports emerged of the terrifying incident at around 3.30pm local time.
After being guided by members of the public, she approached the knifeman and shot her firearm after he lunged towards her with his blade.
Clothing boutique pays tribute to ‘kind-hearted’ employee
A clothing boutique has paid tribute to their employee Dawn Singleton, who has been named as one of the victims stabbed to death by knifeman Joel Cauchi.
It said: “In loving memory of Dawn. Over the weekend we lost not only an employee of White Fox but someone special to us who felt like a family member.
“We are all truly devastated by this loss. Dawn was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was really amazing.
“We send our love & deepest condolences to her partner, the Singleton family & her friends. She will always be remembered as part of the White Fox family.”
Fourth victim identified as architect Jade Young
The fourth victim has been confirmed by police as 47-year-old Jade Young, who worked as an architect in Sydney.
She was reportedly a member of Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, who issued a statement following the news of her death.
They said: “This is and will be a difficult time for the community, and we encourage you to seek support from family, friends, fellow club members or to speak to your GP to assist you in processing this tragedy. We are here to support the community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone affected.”
Daughter of Australian businessman named as one of the victims
The daughter of an Australian businessman has been named as one of the six victims of the stabbing attack at a Sydney shopping centre.
According to widespread media reports in Australia, Dawn Singleton, 25, was killed in the attack at the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction, in the east of Sydney.
John Singleton, 82, is a well-known entrepreneur in Australia who built his success through advertising. He has eight children.
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First responder Amy Scott ‘certainly a hero’, says prime minister
Police inspector Amy Scott, the first emergency responder on the scene who shot and killed attacker Joel Cauchi, was “certainly a hero”, prime minister Anthony Albanese said.
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.
One of victims identified as Pakistani national
Six people — five women and one man, aged between 20 and 55 — were killed in the attack. Another 12 were injured and remain in hospital, including a 9-month-old child whose mother was killed in the attack.
The male victim was a security guard at the shopping center and was later identified as 30-year-old Faraz Tahir from Pakistan.
According to a written statement Sunday from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia, Faraz had been in Australia for a less than a year and was a “cherished member of our community”.
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2024-04-14 11:54:11Z
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