Officials say it was "obvious" that a knifeman targeted women during a vicious stabbing rampage at a busy Sydney shopping centre on Saturday.
Five of the six people killed were women after Joel Caluchi, 40, caused chaos at the Westfield Bondi Junction mall when he took out a long blade and started stabbing people. As well as the fatalities, several other females, including a baby girl, were injured and rushed to hospital. The rampage came to an end when a lone police officer shot Cauchi dead.
Speaking to ABC News, the New South Wales police commissioner said it was "obvious" Cauchi had targeted women. Out of all the fatal victims, only one was a man - security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, who had bravely tried to stop the knifeman. The five female victims were Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55; Dawn Singleton, 25; Ashlee Good, 38; and Cheng Yixuan, who is thought to be in her 20s.
"The videos speak for themselves, don't they?" commissioner Karen Webb said. "It's obvious to me, it's obvious to detectives... that the offender focused on women and avoided the men. We don't know what was operating in the mind of the offender and that's why it's important now that detectives spend so much time interviewing those who know him. It has been reported that five of the deceased are women and the majority of victims in hospital are also women.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio the breakdown of the victims was “concerning”. Asked about any links between the attacker and misogynist networks, he said: “All of that investigation will take place, it will be comprehensive, and nothing will not be looked at in this matter.”
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Dawn Singleton was one of the fatal victims
Chinese student Yixuan Cheng was also killed (NINE NEWS)Before today, officials had said the attack was connected to Cauchi's mental health. His father Andrew told local media that he had been struggling with psychiatric issues and had recently come off his medication.
In a video shared by The Australian, he said: "To you he is a monster. To me, he was a very sick boy. He wanted a girlfriend and he's got no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain."
Cauchi's family also released a statement addressing what had happened. They 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.
A family leaves the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall after the attack (AFP via Getty Images)“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. We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others. We hope she is coping alright.”
Tributes have been paid to Cauchi’s victims, who included mother Ashlee Good, 38, who handed her baby over to strangers after being attacked. She died in hospital and her nine-month-old daughter Harriet, who was also injured in the attack, has undergone surgery.
Cauchi's dad said his son had suffered with mental health issues since he was a teenA statement from Ms Good’s family provided to Australian broadcaster ABC said the child is “doing well”. They added: “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.”
Dawn Singleton, the 25-year-old daughter of Australian businessman John Singleton, was named as one of the victims by local media. Two of the victims are from overseas and police are attempting to contact their families. Slain security guard Faraz Tahir was named and labelled “courageous” by the Australian Pakistani National Association. New South Wales Police confirmed a fourth victim was 47-year-old Jade Young, who worked as an architect in Sydney. A further 11 people are receiving treatment in hospitals around Sydney for injuries, with a 12th person discharged from hospital on Sunday.
Members of the public lay floral tributes at Oxford Street Mall alongside Westfield Bondi Junction yesterday (Getty Images)Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the “extraordinary” bravery of people at the shopping centre during the attack. He said: “We see the footage of ordinary Australians putting themselves in harm’s way in order to help their fellow citizens. That bravery was quite extraordinary that we saw yesterday, the best of Australians amidst this extraordinary tragedy.”
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