A television host has asked a crucial question regarding the fatal stabbing at a Sydney mall.

A suspect identified as Joel Cauchi sent the crowd at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction into panic on Saturday (April 13) when he began stabbing people with a long blade.

The terrifying incident claimed the lives of five women, named Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, and Yixuan Cheng, as well as a 30-year-old male security guard named Faraz Tahir. Several others were also critically injured in the ordeal, including a nine-month-old baby.

The killing spree only ended when the 40-year-old suspect was shot dead at the scene by Inspector Amy Scott.

Survivors walking out of the shopping mall. Credit: Fairfax Media / Getty

Authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the attack but police commissioner Karen Webb confirmed investigators would look at whether Cauchi had been focusing on women and children specifically.

"The videos (of the attack) speak for themselves don’t they," Webb said, as cited by CNN. "It’s obvious to me, it’s obvious to the detectives that that seems to be an area of interest, that the offender had focused on women and avoided the men.

"We don't know what was operating in the mind of the offender and that's why it's important now that detectives spend so much time interviewing those who know him," she added, per BBC News.

Members of parliament arrive to lay flowers at Bondi Junction. Credit: Fairfax Media / Getty

Following the tragic event, Sunrise host Matt Shirvington spoke to residents gathered outside the shopping center.

"People [are] asking questions as to why," the interviewer told his colleague Michael Usher, according to Daily Mail. "How can this guy carry a knife into a busy shopping center where we know there is security and just start stabbing people?" he added.

Cauchi was known to police in neighboring Queensland, but he had not been arrested or charged with anything there before Saturday's events.

"We don't fully understand what happened between last month in Queensland and here in NSW, and what sort of treatment he potentially was given, if any at all," Shirvington continued. "So there are questions being asked about that."

The TV host added that people are also questioning whether there was enough security during the brutal attack. "That's the other issue. But that is something that obviously will be further investigated down the track," he added.

Sydney has seen two stabbing attacks in a matter of days. Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty

The knifeman's father, Andrew Cauchi, spoke out about their son's crimes and said they were "heartbroken" and "extremely sorry" for the victims, per Sky News.

The 76-year-old told reporters his son had battled with mental illness and recently stopped taking his medication. "He's my son. And I'm loving a monster - to you, he's a monster. To me, he was a very sick boy," he said.

"He wanted a girlfriend and he's got no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain," Andrew explained when asked about why his son may have targeted women.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.

Featured image credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

Australian police believe the suspect who stabbed several people at a busy Sydney mall specifically targeted women.

New South Wales Police confirmed that on Saturday (April 13), a knifeman, identified as Joel Cauchi, walked into Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction at about 3:20PM where he "caused harm" to many people.

The 40-year-old fatally stabbed six victims inside the mall - which is in the Sydney suburb of Bondi - with a weapon that was most likely a knife," according to NBC News.

Numerous others were also critically injured in the ordeal, including a young child.

Six victims, plus the offender, are dead following a stabbing attack at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

The horror incident only ended when the 40-year-old suspect was shot dead at the scene by an officer who single-handedly pursued him through the shopping center.

The victims of the stabbing spree were Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, and Yixuan Cheng, who is believed to be in her 20s. The only man killed in the attack was security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, who tried to intervene.

While a motive has not yet been disclosed, police commissioner Karen Webb confirmed investigators would look at whether Cauchi had been targeting women and children specifically.

"The videos (of the attack) speak for themselves don’t they," Webb said, as cited by CNN. "It’s obvious to me, it’s obvious to the detectives that that seems to be an area of interest, that the offender had focused on women and avoided the men."

"We don't know what was operating in the mind of the offender and that's why it's important now that detectives spend so much time interviewing those who know him," she added. However, authorities warned the investigation could take a while as cops will interview witnesses and follow different lines of inquiry.

Cauchi was known to police in neighboring Queensland, but he had not been arrested or charged with anything there before Saturday's events.

His father, Andrew Cauchi, told reporters his son had battled with mental illness and recently stopped taking his medication. "To you, he is a monster. To me, he was a very sick boy," he said.

"He wanted a girlfriend and he's got no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain," Andrew explained when asked about why his son may have targeted women.

There's a possibility that Cauchi had been targeting women and children specifically. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

One of the women to have been killed was 38-year-old Ashlee Good, who protected her baby daughter by giving her to bystanders when she was wounded by the suspect. The pair were rushed to the hospital but tragically, the mother succumbed to her injuries.

Just hours before the horror unfolded, the mom posted a heartbreaking final social media post with her baby in her arms. "Only because I was walking past and happened to be wearing the same thing 9 months out vs 9 months in etc etc," the caption read, as shared by Daily Mail.

Good's family expressed their gratitude to the medical team at Sydney's Children's Hospital, the police, and to the two men who "cared for our baby when Ashlee could not".

"We appreciate the well-wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl," they added in their statement, as cited by BBC News.

Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of all victims.

Featured image credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

The parents of the Westfield Mall perpetrator who fatally stabbed several people have recalled the moment they knew their son was a murderer.

As previously reported, six people lost their lives on Saturday (April 13) after a knifeman identified as Joel Cauchi carried out a deadly attack at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction.

The victims were five women named Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, and Yixuan Cheng, as well as a 30-year-old male security guard named Faraz Tahir.

Numerous others were also critically injured in the heartbreaking incident, including Good's nine-month-old baby.

Six victims died following a stabbing attack at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction, Sydney. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

Following the shocking events, the 40-year-old suspect's parents, Andrew and Michele Cauchi - who are in their 70s and live in Toowoomba - opened up about their son's behavior prior to the attack.

Five weeks before Joel armed himself with a knife, he sent his mom a video message of Coogee Beach with the caption: "Mom, I just want to show you how beautiful Coogee Beach [is]," according to ABC.

The message offered the concerned parents a sense of relief as they had been desperately trying to make contact with their youngest child. In fact, that same day his worried mom had contacted his bank, asking: "I don't want to know what's in his account. I just want to know my son's still alive. Is he still using his account?"

However, the parents had no idea that their son, who had suffered from schizophrenia for all of his adult life, was teetering on the edge and that the last time they'd get an update was from national television.

Andrew and Michele called the police after realizing that the man on a murderous rampage at the shopping mall was Joel, per News.com.au.

"I walked in, and my wife said, 'It looks like Joel.' I said, 'It does a bit,' but he had his head down," Andrew said. "So I watched and watched and watched."

An ambulance outside Westfield Bondi Junction after several people were attacked by the suspect. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

The Cauchis disclosed that their late son, who graduated from the University of Southern Queensland, decided to stop taking mental health medication after 18 years of treatment.

"When he came off [the medication], it was like it had all lifted from him and he wanted to have a life," his mom said. "After living at home until he was 35, he went to Brisbane, so he wasn’t with his doctor anymore."

The attacker moved between Brisbane, Toowoomba, and the Gold Coast before informing his parents that he lost his Brisbane rental in January 2023.

Andrew picked his son up and allowed him to move back home. But problems soon arose after the father refused to allow Joel to keep his deadly United States Army combat knives in the house.

The dad recalled this devasting moment, sharing: "I said to Joel, 'You can stay here as long as you like, but you are not going to have these in my house.' So I took them off him, knowing that there was going to be pandemonium in my house but I was willing to put up with it."

Joel shockingly called the authorities on his family, alleging that they had stolen his knives before driving to Tweed Heads the following day to purchase himself more.

People are emotional as they pay tribute with flowers to the victims at Bondi Junction. Credit: Fairfax Media / Getty

As police continue to search for a motive behind the horrific killing spree, Joel's distraught parents have apologized for their son’s actions on multiple occasions.

Andrew said he was "heartbroken" and "extremely sorry" for the victims, and told reporters: "He's my son. And I'm loving a monster - to you, he's a monster. To me, he was a very sick boy," per Sky News.

Featured image credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

A woman has revealed that she had a haunting encounter with a man she believes was the Sydney mall attacker weeks before the tragedy.

On Saturday (April 13), New South Wales Police were called to Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction at 3:20PM following reports that multiple people had been stabbed.

Hundreds of shoppers were hiding inside storerooms, as a suspect, identified as Joel Cauchi, was wielding what onlookers described as a "big blade," as reported by The Guardian.

The terrifying incident, which claimed the lives of six people, ended after a lone police officer tracked the 40-year-old man through the Sydney mall before shooting him dead.

The heartbreaking incident took place at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

It has been reported that Cauchi fatally stabbed six victims inside the shopping center. Numerous others were also critically injured in the ordeal, including a nine-month-old baby.

The victims were Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, and Yixuan Cheng, who is believed to be in her 20s.

The only man killed in the attack was security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, who tried to intervene.

A paramedic moves a stretcher outside Westfield Bondi Junction after an attack in the mall left six dead. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty

Two weeks before the tragic incident, a woman named Julie revealed in a post obtained by News.com.au that she had a chilling encounter with the suspected attacker while she was visiting Kennards storage located in inner Sydney’s Waterloo.

Julie said that she was driving when she noticed a vehicle following her from her rearview mirror. She then began to have a strange feeling after noticing that the same car had also come inside the storage facility and followed her down to the area where her unit was located.

When the woman parked, the man's car kept driving past and returned to the entrance. "I thought why would you come down here? To then park where you came in," she wrote.

Feeling worried about the situation, Julie reached for a pocket knife and suddenly heard a male voice next to her say: "Hey." She then turned around and saw a dark-haired figure but they immediately backed up when they noticed that she had a knife in her hand.

According to Julie, the man said he thought she was someone else before walking away. "I don’t buy it. He saw my face when I walked past, and then came back when he knew I was alone," she remarked.

Julie then informed the receptionist team about the encounter, to which they examined the security footage and confirmed that the driver who followed her into the building was the man who approached her.

"The storage unit and the police both said there was nothing they could do as he didn’t hurt me. It was just suspicious, not even a phone call to ask him questions," she said.

Julie disclosed that she was "terrified" by the incident and couldn’t stop thinking about what the person's intentions were. "Why was he coming towards me so fast when I’m alone? And lastly, if I didn’t coincidentally have a weapon, would I be okay today?" she asked.

After last weekend's horrific events, Julie shared a follow-up post stating that her experience made her feel like the "system is severely broken," and added that she was "heartbroken" for the victims and their loved ones.

"We are not safe, and we need to protect ourselves," she concluded.

People paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the brutal attack. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

While Cauchi's motive has not yet been revealed, police commissioner Karen Webb confirmed investigators would look at whether the man had been targeting women and children specifically.

"The videos (of the attack) speak for themselves don’t they," Webb said, as cited by CNN. "It’s obvious to me, it’s obvious to the detectives that that seems to be an area of interest, that the offender had focused on women and avoided the men."

"We don't know what was operating in the mind of the offender and that's why it's important now that detectives spend so much time interviewing those who know him," she added, per BBC News.

Authorities warned the investigation could take weeks as police will interview witnesses and follow different lines of inquiry.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of all victims.

Featured image credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty

Following Saturday's tragic attack at a shopping center in Sydney, police have confirmed that six victims lost their lives.

Chaos unfolded at the Westfield Bondi Junction Center just after 3:00PM on April 13, when a knifeman launched a seemingly random attack on members of the public.

The attacker's horrific actions claimed the lives of six people and left a dozen seriously injured - including a nine-month-old baby. His rampage came to an end after he was fatally shot by a lone police officer on the fifth level of the mall.

As the nation grapples in the aftermath of one of Australia's deadliest mass killings in recent history, several of the victims from Saturday's attack have been named and identified by loved ones.

Jade Young

Bellevue Hill mother-of-two, Jade Young, found herself in the midst of the Bondi Westfield attack, tragically losing her life. Described as a "much-loved" member of the Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club, Young's presence resonated deeply within her community.

Jade Young, a mother of two, was killed in the attack. Credit: NSW Police

Originating from the New South Wales region of Illawarra, her family described her as "a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human, and so much more".

The devastating loss was also felt by the Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club. "Many Club members will be affected by the loss of Jade, and the impact of this senseless and tragic event will affect each of us differently over time," the Club shared in an email to members. "We encourage you to seek support from family, friends, fellow Club members or to speak to your GP to assist you in processing this tragedy.

"We are here to support the community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone affected."

Young worked as an architect working in the Double Bay area.

Faraz Tahir

Faraz Tahir, aged 30, was working at Bondi Westfield as a security guard, at the time of the attack.

Per News.com.au, Tahir had relocated to Australia just last year thanks to a program facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He had been fleeing from persecution in his native Pakistan. A friend told The Sydney Morning Herald that Tahir "had so many hopes and dreams for his future".

Tahir, 30, was working as a security guard at the shopping center. Credit: Facebook

Tahir had only worked a handful of shifts at the shopping center, and was reportedly on his first day shift when the attack unfolded.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to which Tahir belonged, has also remembered him as a cherished member, embodying kindness and selflessness.

"He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness," the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community shared in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Faraz’s family and loved ones during this difficult time, as well as with all the other victims and their families affected by this senseless act of violence. We extend our deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the broader community as we come together to support one another in the face of tragedy.

"We commend the swift response of the authorities and offer our full co-operation with the ongoing investigation. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace, unity, and understanding in our society."

Dawn Singleton

Dawn Singleton, the 25-year-old daughter of prominent businessman John Singleton, was also killed in the attack.

A vibrant e-commerce assistant in her workplace at White Fox Boutique, the business wrote in a statement on Instagram: "We lost not only an employee of White Fox but someone special to us who felt like a family member," White Fox Boutique shared in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Dawn Singleton was due to get married this year. Credit: LinkedIn

Singleton's friend has informed The Daily Telegraph that the 25-year-old was due to marry the love of her life this year, and had been shopping for makeup at the Chanel store when she was attacked.

"She only bought her wedding dress last week," the friend told the publication.

Taking to Facebook, another of Singleton's friends, Jade O’Connor, paid tribute, writing: "I should be writing your wedding speech Instead I sit here sobbing coming to terms with how life isn’t fair that you are no longer here."

"Dawn, you were my best friend, my absolute whole world," O'Connor's statement added. "You were kind and caring and the absolute best dog mom. You lit up every room you walked into."

Pikria Darchia

On Sunday (April 14), police confirmed that 55-year-old Pikria Darchia has been identified as another victim who lost their life in the attacks.

Pikria Darchia, 55, was among the people who died at the shopping center. Credit: NSW Police

Darchia, believed to be of Georgian descent, is reported to have moved to Australia in 2013.

Prior to her relocation, her LinkedIn profile indicates that she held the position of senior designer at Pontolac in Georgia until the year 2013. Following this, she pursued further studies at Sydney's City East Community College and TAFE NSW.

Ashlee Good

Ashlee Good, 38, had been shopping at the mall with her nine-month-old baby when she became the first to be targeted by the assailant, per The Telegraph.

Witnesses say she bravely fought to shield her child from the attack, and eventually ran to two brothers and entrusted the strangers to help save her child.

Ashlee Good died trying to save her baby's life.

The pair attempted to stem the mother and baby's injuries with clothing from the racks. Sadly, after being transported to a nearby hospital, the mother succumbed to her injuries.

"Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all round outstanding human and so much more,’" Good's family said in a statement.

"Our baby is currently doing well," the family said, before thanking emergency services and the two brothers who valiantly battled to save the mother and child.

"To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not – words cannot express our gratitude. We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred. We would appreciate peace and privacy while we work through this as a family," the Good family said.

What We Know About The Attacks So Far

Incident Details: As a result of Saturday's horrifying stabbing rampage in Sydney, it has been confirmed that six victims have lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries.

The incident took place just after 3:00PM on Saturday afternoon at the busy Westfield's Bondi Junction mall, with police and first responders being dispatched at around 3:30PM. Eyewitnesses have recounted scenes of chaos and terror as shoppers fled the violent attack, seeking refuge in nearby stores to escape the assailant's onslaught. Others have stated how the assailant appeared to be targeting people at random.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed profound shock and disbelief at the senseless attacks, describing the incident as "beyond words and understanding".

A motive for the attack is still unknown, but authorities have stated that the knifeman was "acting alone" and that it is not deemed to be a "terror-related" incident.

Casualties: According to New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb, the initial death toll from the attack included the tragic deaths of four women and one man at the shopping mall. Another woman later succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

Local reports currently state that a mom-of-two, the daughter of a millionaire businessman, a security guard, and a new mom are among those who were killed in the attacks.

Additionally, eight more individuals are currently receiving treatment for various injuries sustained during the rampage at hospitals across Sydney. Among the injured is a nine-month-old baby who underwent surgery, as confirmed by Webb.

Suspect and Police Response: Law enforcement officials have now named the suspect as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi.

Anthony Cooke, the assistant commissioner of New South Wales Police has told reporters: "We are continuing to work through the profiling of the offender but very clearly to us at this stage it would appear that this is related to the mental health of the individual involved."

The heroic actions of a female police inspector on the scene, who swiftly neutralized the assailant when he raised his knife in her direction, have been widely praised. Cooke informed reporters of the moment the officer approached the assailant.

"[The officer] confronted the offender who had moved, by this stage, to level five," Cooke said. "As she continued to walk quickly behind to catch up with him he turned to face her, raised a knife, she discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased."

Prime Minister Albanese commended the officer's bravery, saying: "She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action."

A Rare Attack For Australia: The shocking attack has left Australia shaken, a nation where mass casualty events are exceedingly rare.

The incident is a poignant reminder of the nation's scattered but tragic history of violence, with comparisons drawn to past atrocities such as the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, which claimed 35 lives, and the 2019 mass shooting in Darwin that resulted in multiple fatalities. The rarity of such incidents underscores the gravity of the tragedy and the profound impact it has had on the Australian community.

Our thoughts continue to go out to the victims' loved ones and the people of Sydney at this time.

Featured image credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty