Police identify Australian shopping mall attacker as Joel Cauchi
The Australian Police on Sunday (April 14, 2024) identified the Bondi Junction attacker in Australia's Sydney city as Joel Cauchi.
"The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he could not be revived and died at the scene. He has since been identified as 40-year-old Queensland man, Joel Cauchi," read a statement issued by NSW Polie Force.
Police told The Guardian that Cauchi had mental health problems and that he had moved from Queensland to New South Wales only a month before he took a knife into the crowded Sydney mall on Saturday afternoon and killed six people in an unprovoked stabbing spree.
The attacker stabbed to death six people at a mall in Sydney on Saturday, a mass stabbing incident which is rare in the country.
Several videos emerged on social media where the attacker was seen roaming around the mall with a knife in his hand.
A woman cop shot him dead and several video going viral on the social media platforms showed her.
" An officer attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended and was allegedly confronted by a man, armed with a knife," police said in a statement.
Family members of attacker say they were 'devastated'
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time,” they said in a statement as quoted by The Guardian.
Australian PM pays tribute
Australian PM Anthony Albanese visited the site of the attack and paid floral tributes to the victims.
" Yesterday, Bondi Junction was the scene of horrific violence – but also selfless courage and bravery," he posted on X.
" Today this community has come together to mourn the victims of this devastating atrocity and offer its sympathy to those who have lost loved ones," he said.