A security guard who was on his first shift at the Australian mall where the recent stabbing incident occurred has been identified.
Faraz Tahir, 30, from Pakistan, was working as a security guard at the Westfield Bondi Junction Shopping Center in Sydney when he was fatally wounded by the knife-wielding attacker.
Five other shoppers were also killed, while a dozen others - including a nine-month-old baby - were injured.
READ MORE: What we know about the Sydney shopping center victims
It is believed that Tahir had only worked a handful of shifts at the shopping center, and was reportedly on his first day shift when the attack unfolded.
Per News.com.au, Tahir - the only male victim in the attacks - 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".
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."
On Sunday evening, members of the Muslim community held a silent vigil for Tahir and in a statement, the Australian Pakistani National Association urged the wider community to "stand together in solidarity, offering support and prayers to those grieving and affected by this heartbreaking loss."
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.
