A worrying theory has emerged that the killer who went on a stabbing spree in Sydney yesterday may have targeted women.
The mass stabbing at Bondi Junction’s Westfield center on Saturday afternoon has shocked the nation as a massive police investigation unfolds.
Six people, five women and one man, were killed in the attack and several others were injured.
A nine-month-old baby was among those stabbed and undergoing surgery on Saturday night, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters on Saturday.
The child’s mother was among those who died, entrusting her baby to strangers and begging them for help before losing consciousness.
The knifeman was brought down by a lone police officer, Amy Scott, at the scene.
He was identified as Joel Cauchi, 40, who is originally from the Brisbane area and had mental health issues, moved from Queensland to Sydney a month ago.
There is no indication Cauchi was part of any particular ideology, with police treating the horrific attack as a mental health incident.
A worrying theory has emerged that the killer who went on a stabbing spree in Sydney yesterday may have targeted women.
Today Show host Karl Stefanovic said this morning he had “no words” to express his thoughts on the incident, but expressed disgust at the number of female victims.
“I don’t care about the excuses, and I hope there is a special place in hell reserved for him, given that he walked past men, did nothing and attacked women,” a- he declared.
“This offender, may you rot in hell. Forgive me for saying it, but for what he did I don’t care
“A woman with a baby. »
Many others have shared similar comments online.
“Can it be true that the Bondi attack targeted women? Five women dead? she wrote.
“I mourn male violence today. I can’t say oh my God, because I refused the gods. But anger is growing.
Another said: “This stabbing in Bondi Junction appears to have targeted WOMEN. »
On Nine’s Today Show on Sunday, terrorism expert Greg Barton said extremist groups would typically have posted information about the incident online beforehand to signal an imminent attack.
Mr Barton also said the deaths of several women was “one of the ugliest aspects” of the “incredible tragedy”.
“I think it’s important that the police say they’re going to take their time, do the investigative work and let us know what they understand about the motivation,” he said.
“Of course, the biggest threat of violence we face every day in Australia is domestic violence. Whether that’s implied here or not is a question.
“But yes, callous attacks on a mother, child and other women are horrible.”
Lifeguard Andrew Reid from Bondi Rescue was at the shopping center and helped administer first aid to several of the victims.
“She just wanted to be a mom, you know? She just wanted to be. And she was a beautiful person. And she would have been an amazing mother,” he said.
“I don’t know how this father is handling what he has on his plate this morning, losing his wife and having a nine month old child fighting for life.”
Mr. Reid also recalled the devastating scene he experienced.
“So the first victim was a young woman, between 30 and 40 years old. And then the next victim that I examined, she was probably a little bit older, between 40 and 50 years old, maybe, but she was in a bad state.” he said.
“She and the police were trying to work on her, but oh my God, I’ve never… I’ve never seen so much blood.”
Mr. Reid said he and other first responders were simply acting based on their training and experience.
“But, you know, for me, some of the real heroes are the policewoman who took him down, the guy with the bollard.
‘Like, are you kidding me? As if he was keeping him at bay. You know, that would have given time for more police to get there, more people to get out of there.
“Like he’s an absolute legend.”
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Ms Webb said last night there was no ongoing threat to the public.
“Let me assure you that we are satisfied that there is no ongoing risk and that we are dealing with a person who is now deceased,” Ms Webb said.
“The investigation will continue for many, many days, but there are elements that we understand at this point that do not indicate (a terrorist attack), but as we move forward in the investigation and analyze the context of this person, their home, vehicle, associates, we will only know at that time.
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