Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing attack: What you need to know
On Saturday afternoon, Australia was rocked by a horrific attack on shoppers at Bondi Junction Westfield. Here's what you need to know.
Video transcript
- On Saturday afternoon, Australia was rocked by a horrific attack on shoppers at Westfield Bondi Junction. Here's what you need to know. Six people were stabbed to death and a dozen more were injured by knifeman Joel Cauchi before he was shot dead by police. The assailant, dressed in a Kangaroos Rugby League shirt and armed with a knife, began his rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction at 3:20 PM on Saturday, sending hundreds of stores and thousands of people into lockdown while others ran outside screaming and crying.
A senior officer who was nearby was guided to the location of the offender by people in the shopping center. Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cook told reporters, "he turned, faced her, and raised the knife. She discharged a firearm." New South Wales Deputy Premier Penny Sharpe praised the senior officer on Sunday, claiming she was, "an absolute hero" who saved countless other people's lives. New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed on Sunday that one of the six people killed was a security guard working at the shopping center who attempted to stop the knifeman.
30-year-old Faraz Ahmed Tahir was the only male victim killed with the other five being women. The first victim was identified on Saturday evening as 38-year-old mother Ashley Good, whose nine-month-old baby was also stabbed. The other female victims identified are 25-year-old Dawn Singleton, 47-year-old mother of two Jade Young, and 55-year-old Pikria Darchia. The sixth victim was identified on Monday morning as young Chinese student Yixuan Cheng.
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe revealed Joel Cauchi's parents were watching news coverage of the attack and suspected it could have been their son with a knife in his hand. He told reporters, "they believed that may well have been their son and they reached out to authorities." On Sunday evening, Joel Cauchi's family released a statement that said, "we are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time. Joel's actions were truly horrific and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened. He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager."
