SYDNEY: Australian police on Sunday stated a 40-year-old itinerant with psychological sickness was behind a Sydney procuring heart stabbing rampage that killed six individuals, together with a brand new mum whose nine-month-old child continues to be in hospital with severe wounds.
New South Wales police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke stated the assailant — who was shot useless by a senior police officer on the scene on Saturday — was Queensland man Joel Cauchi.
5 ladies and one male safety guard had been killed within the assault as Cauchi roved by a packed procuring heart within the metropolis’s Bondi Junction neighborhood with a big knife. Twelve extra persons are nonetheless in hospital.
“The sound of individuals screaming was horrific,” stated eyewitness Daphi Kiselstein, who was procuring on the time of the assault and took refuge in a retailer with different terrified individuals.
Cooke stated there was no proof to recommend Cauchi was “pushed by any specific motivation, ideology or in any other case.”
“We all know that the offender within the matter suffered from, suffers from, psychological well being,” he added.
Cauchi was tracked down and shot useless by solo senior police officer Amy Scott, who was immediately hailed by Australia’s prime minister as a “hero” who had saved numerous lives.
Cauchi’s dad and mom stated their son had been dwelling in a automobile and hostels of late, and was solely in sporadic contact by way of textual content messages.
Police stated he was recognized with a psychological well being difficulty at age 17, however that they had no indication about why he could have grow to be violent.
His dad and mom issued an announcement by police providing condolences to their son’s victims and their households.
They’d additionally despatched a message of “assist” to the officer who shot him useless, “expressing their considerations for her welfare.”
Queensland police stated Cauchi had been in touch with police a number of occasions during the last 4 to 5 years however has by no means been arrested or charged with any offense.
He’s believed to have traveled to Sydney a couple of month in the past and employed a small storage unit within the metropolis. It contained private belongings, together with a boogie board.
The assault has precipitated sorrow, outrage and shock in Sydney, the place residents are comparatively unaccustomed to violent crime.
The procuring heart is the focus of a nicely frequented suburb close to the famed seashore, and is all the time full of consumers and households going for meals or to the cinema.
Among the many victims was 38-year-old mom Ashlee Good, who succumbed to her accidents after desperately passing her child to 2 strangers within the hope they might save the kid’s life.
Good’s household described her as “a stupendous mom, daughter, sister, accomplice, buddy, all spherical excellent human and a lot extra.”
“To the 2 males who held and cared for our child when Ashlee couldn’t — phrases can’t categorical our gratitude,” they stated in an announcement to Australian media.
The newborn, named Harriet, was stated to be recovering nicely after prolonged surgical procedure.
Two of the victims are stated to haven’t any household in Australia and makes an attempt are being made to contact family members abroad.
A Fb profile stated Cauchi got here from Toowoomba, close to Brisbane, and had attended a neighborhood highschool and college.
A particular gray, purple and yellow dragon tattoo on his proper arm was used to assist establish him.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated Australians had been struggling to know an “unspeakable” assault that’s “actually simply past comprehension.”
“Folks going about their Saturday afternoon procuring needs to be secure, shouldn’t be in danger. However tragically, we noticed a lack of life, and folks can be grieving for family members in the present day,” he stated.
“We additionally know there are lots of individuals nonetheless in hospital coping with restoration, and our ideas and prayers are with them.”
Albanese stated he had obtained messages from US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon amongst others.
Exterior the procuring heart early on Sunday, a group of flowers began to construct.
Households embraced as they lay flowers. One man stood silently and wiped away tears, earlier than shifting on.
Sydney resident Paul Hoolahan stated he got here to pay his respects to those that died on the procuring heart, the place he typically has espresso together with his grandchildren.
“It’s emotional,” Hoolahan instructed AFP. “It shouldn’t occur. It hit right here,” he stated pointing to his chest.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns flew again from Japan on information of the assault.
He stated it had been “unbelievable to see full strangers leap in, run towards the hazard for their very own lives in hurt’s technique to save somebody that they’ve by no means met earlier than.”
“We’ve acquired some great individuals in our metropolis,” he stated.
