Counter-terrorism police officer to testify


A senior police terrorism specialist will provide more details of an investigation into Bondi Junction’s multiple fatality, three-minute stabbing spree that shocked a nation.

A man experiencing psychotic symptoms sparked terror when he stabbed 16 people at the busy shopping centre in eastern Sydney on April 13, last year.

Joel Cauchi armed himself with a 30cm knife and unleashed a terrifying attack amid the bustling Saturday afternoon crowd, killing six people and injuring 10, including a nine-month-old baby.

Police block a street near a crime scene at Bondi Junction in Sydney, Sunday, April 14, 2024, after several people were stabbed to death at a shopping center Saturday. Police have identified Joel Cauchi, 40, as the assailant that stabbed several people to death at a busy Sydney shopping center Saturday before he was fatally shot by a police officer. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) (AP)

Dawn Singleton, 25, Faraz Tahir, 30, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27, were killed in the attack.

Minutes later, Cauchi was shot dead by police Inspector Amy Scott, who is credited with saving numerous lives.

An inquest into the circumstances of the fatal attack will hear from the manager of the NSW Police Terrorism Protection Unit today.

Although there were fears the stabbing was a terrorist attack, the officer in charge of the critical incident testified there was no evidence Cauchi held extremist beliefs.

But counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer, SC, said the 40-year-old did have a “distressing” web browsing history that belied a preoccupation with weapons, violence, and mass killing.

From left: Ashlee Good, 38, Faraz Tahir, 30, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27. (Supplied)

This interest in death and murder included searches for serial killers and mass killings both in Australia and overseas including the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Cauchi had been diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager and was successfully treated until 2019 when he stopped his medication, the inquest was previously told.

He lived a largely transient life away from the support of his parents in Queensland and had been homeless when he stepped foot into the Bondi Junction Westfield for the last time.

A specialised paramedic with training in hazardous situations who responded to the attack will also give evidence today.

The coroner will canvass issues such as the effectiveness of inter-agency communication and the efficacy of emergency services and security to the mass casualty event.

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