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World Reacts To Tragic Sydney Mall Attack

Jennifer Cartwright
Main image of Bondi Junction shopping mall where Cauchi injured or killed 18 people

Jennifer Cartwright

A 40-year-old man wielding a knife killed six people and injured 12 others in Sydney on Saturday afternoon, before he was shot and killed by police in Westfield Bondi Junction. 

The world now mourns Ashlee Good, Dawn Singleton, Jade Young, Pikria Darchia, Yixuan Cheng, and Faraz Tahir who all died in the horrific incident.

The perpetrator, who also died at the scene after police intervention, has been named as Queensland man Joel Cauchi. According to police, Cauchi had a history of mental health issues since his teenage years.

In a statement, Cauchi’s parents – who reached out to authorities after recognising footage of their son on TV – said their “thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.”

MISTAKEN IDENTITY 

Before Cauchi was named on Sunday morning, misidentification of the assailant spiralled on social media. Multiple X users falsely named the mall attacker as Benjamin Cohen, an Australian university student.

The rumour, seemingly based on anti-Semitism and a vague facial resemblance, was even mistakenly confirmed by the Australian TV Network, Channel 7, who have since apologised.

“Australian police are now investigating Cauchi’s motivations.”

Simultaneously, others falsely believed Cauchi’s stabbing spree was connected to Islamic extremism. TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer tweeted on the same day as the attack: “Another day. Another terror attack by another Islamist extremist.” Harley-Brewer has since corrected her original tweet after Cauchi, who had no connection to Islam, was identified.

Meanwhile, Paul Golding, the co-leader of the far-right UK political party Britain First, guessed the perpetrator was a “recent convert” to Islam.

THE AFTERMATH

Australian police are now investigating Cauchi’s motivations. New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb responded to investigations into the incident specifically targeting women as an “obvious” area of interest, as five of the six people he killed were women.

Following the attack, the nation has been left in a state of heartbreak and shock. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the tragedy “beyond words or understanding” as he declared Monday a national day of mourning.

Government flags flew half-mast and the Sydney Opera House was illuminated with a black ribbon to pay respect to the victims.

FOCUS ON THE HEROES 

Amidst Australia’s time of tragedy – as videos of the chaos circulate online – there is also a focus on the heroes who saved lives with their bravery.

Ashlee Good died protecting her nine-month-old baby whom she handed to strangers to keep safe. Good has been described by her family as “a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human and so much more.” Thanks to the quick-thinking of Good and the strangers around her, her daughter is now in a stable condition after surgery.

Another victim, Faraz Tahir, was a Pakistani refugee who had recently moved to Australia and was working his very first shift at the mall as a security guard. He unfortunately lost his life while defending others. His friend, Adnan Qadir, said Tahir “was always there to take time out and give back to community.” A vigil was held by Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community outside Westfield Bondi Junction on Sunday evening to remember and honour Tahir and the other victims.

Greens MP Adam Bandt posted on X: “I mourn Faraz Tahir, a Pakistani refugee who on his first day on work as a security guard, lost his life protecting the public from the perpetrator.”

Frenchman Damien Guerot has been offered permanent Australian residency after bravely blockading Cauchi on an escalator with a plastic pole as his only defence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France.”

Senior officer Amy Scott has also been highly commended for single-handedly confronting Cauchi. After Cauchi tried to lunge his knife at her, Scott discharged her firearm. She administered first aid afterwards. Police commissioner Karen Webb called Scott “enormously courageous.”

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Featured image courtesy of Daniel Toh on Flickr. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.

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