The Sydney knife attacker who killed six individuals at a procuring centre had suffered psychological well being points since he was a teen, his household stated.
Joel Cauchi, 40, from Queensland, had been recognized to police, significantly during the last 5 years, however had not been arrested or charged earlier than he dedicated the assault on Saturday.
4 ladies, and a person in his 30s who was a safety guard on the procuring centre, died on the scene.
In a press release launched by way of Queensland Police, the Cauchi household stated: “We’re completely devastated by the traumatic occasions that occurred in Sydney yesterday.
“Our ideas and prayers are with the households and mates of the victims and people nonetheless present process remedy presently.
“Joel’s actions had been actually horrific, and we’re nonetheless attempting to understand what has occurred.
“He has battled with psychological well being points since he was a teen.”
Cauchi was recognized by New South Wales Police on Sunday after he was killed by a police officer through the assault on the Westfield procuring centre at Bondi Junction within the east of Sydney.
The lone knifeman attacked buyers on yesterday afternoon and police stated they don’t suppose the assault was motivated by terrorism.
His household added: “We’re in touch with each the New South Wales Police Power and Queensland Police Service and haven’t any points with the police officer who shot our son as she was solely doing her job to guard others, and we hope she is coping alright.”
Queensland Police assistant commissioner Roger Lowe advised reporters in Brisbane that Cauchi, who he described “itinerant”, had not been “prosecuted or arrested or cost for any offence inside Queensland” and stated the power was aiding police in New South Wales officers with the investigations.
“He has been in touch with the police, primarily within the final 4 to 5 years can be essentially the most contact we now have had with him. Throughout that contact we’re conscious that this particular person has suffered from psychological well being,” stated Mr Lowe.
Mr Lowe stated the attacker’s household has co-operated with police and had despatched a message to the New South Wales Police “with respect to assist the police officer who has killed their son and are expressing their considerations for her welfare”.
Mr Lowe stated the household contacted authorities once they noticed footage of the assault on tv.
New South Wales Police are investigating the person, who moved to Sydney a month earlier than the assault, hiring a “very small” storage container in Sydney which police have “labored by way of”.
Tributes have been paid to Cauchi’s victims, who included a mom who handed her child over to strangers after being attacked.
Ashlee Good, 38, died in hospital after being attacked. Her nine-month-old daughter Harriet was injured within the assault and a press release from Ms Good’s household supplied to Australian broadcaster ABC stated the kid is “doing properly”.
“At present we’re reeling from the horrible lack of Ashlee, a fantastic mom, daughter, sister, companion, pal, all-round excellent human, and a lot extra,” the assertion stated.
The 25-year-old daughter of Australian businessman John Singleton, Daybreak, has been named as one of many victims by varied media shops. Two of the victims are from abroad and police are trying to contact their households.
An extra 11 persons are receiving remedy in hospitals round Sydney for various accidents. A twelfth casualty was discharged from hospital on Sunday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the “extraordinary” bravery of individuals on the procuring centre through the assault.
“We see the footage of odd Australians placing themselves in hurt’s means with a purpose to assist their fellow residents,” he stated. “That bravery was fairly extraordinary that we noticed yesterday, the most effective of Australians amidst this extraordinary tragedy.”
New South Wales premier Chris Minns known as the assault “horrifying” and praised the efforts of the police inspector who shot Cauchi.
“Sydney has suffered a horrifying and violent assault on harmless people who find themselves doing one thing everyone does on the weekend and that’s going procuring with their household and their mates,” he stated.
“In fact, Inspector Amy Scott, who ran in the direction of hazard, confirmed professionalism and bravado and and not using a shadow of a doubt, saved many, many lives within the final 24 hours.”
Mr Albanese and Mr Minns had been amongst members of the general public who laid flowers in Bondi to pay tribute to victims of the assault.
Britain’s King has stated he and the Queen had been “totally shocked and horrified” by the “mindless assault” in Sydney and their “hearts exit to the households and family members of those that have been so brutally killed”.
The procuring centre is being investigated by state and federal police and remained closed to the general public.
