A 40-year-old Australian, hailing from the state of Queensland, has been thrust into the spotlight as the accused behind the stabbing spree at a Sydney shopping center. Joel Cauchi, 40, went on a rampage, killing six people, and leaving at least a dozen others injured.
Who Was Joel Cauchi?
Cauchi’s identity emerged amid a flurry of investigations by law enforcement agencies seeking to unravel the motives behind the violent outburst. While Cauchi was not previously known to law enforcement in Queensland for criminal activities, authorities revealed that he had encountered them in the past due to issues related to mental health.
His exact motivations for the attack remain unclear, with New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb asserting that there is no evidence of ideological motives behind the assault. The absence of a clear motive has deepened the mystery surrounding the incident, leaving authorities grappling for answers amidst a climate of shock and disbelief.
UPDATE: A critical incident investigation is underway after six people were fatally stabbed and a man was shot by police in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs yesterday.More info: https://t.co/EMpxwJbEhg
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) April 14, 2024
Victims
New South Wales (NSW) Police are investigating whether Cauchi targeted women but said it was an “obvious line of inquiry.” “Five other people – including four women believed to be aged between 20 and 55 and a man, aged in his 30s – who were in the centre, died at the scene. They are yet to be formally identified. Twelve others – including nine women, two men and a 9-month-old child – suffering stab wounds, were treated by paramedics and taken to various Sydney hospitals,” police said.
The tragedy, which unfolded swiftly at the bustling shopping center, with Cauchi’s frenzied attack on Saturday claiming the lives of five women and one man, purportedly a security guard attempting to intervene. Cauchi killed six people, including the daughter of Australian multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton. Dawn Singleton, 25, was the second victim named during Cauchi’s attack. A 30-year-old Pakistani man was named on Sunday as the security guard killed in a weekend knife attack.
Cauchi’s History
Police said he was diagnosed with a mental health issue at age 17. In a pained statement, Cauchi’s parents offered thoughts for the victims and said their son’s actions were “truly horrific”. “We are still trying to comprehend what has happened. He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.” The parents also sent a message to the officer who shot their son dead. “She was only doing her job to protect others and we hope she is coping alright,” they said.
Cauchi is believed to have travelled to Sydney about a month ago and hired a small storage unit in the city, according to police. It contained personal belongings, including a boogie board. He had been living in a vehicle and hostels, and was only in sporadic contact with his family via text messages, his parents said.
(With agency inputs)
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