Australian Police have said the man who killed six people in a mass stabbing spree inside a shopping mall in Australia’s Sydney city, may have been targeting women.
Law enforcement officials on Sunday identified the attacker as Joel Cauchi.
“The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he could not be revived and died at the scene. He has since been identified as 40-year-old Queensland man, Joel Cauchi,” read a statement issued by NSW Police Force.
Cauchi’s father broke his silence over the attack and tearfully apologised for the action of his “tormented” son. Cauchi was shot dead shortly after the attack, as he tried to attack a police office. “An officer attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended and was allegedly confronted by a man, armed with a knife,” police said in a statement.
The bereaved father said he too would have shot down his son if he was the police officer responding to the incident.
Speaking outside his home in Toowoomba, Queensland, Andrew Cauchi told ABC News that he was “not really” coping with the aftermath of his 40-year-old son’s actions.
“He was a tormented soul, tormented, and frustrated, and I’m sorry that he’s done this to your children and this nation,” the father told the news channel.
Cauchi’s mother, Michele, told ABC News her son had been under the care of doctors for about 18 years while receiving treatment for mental illness.
Police told The Guardian that Cauchi had mental health problems and that he had moved from Queensland to New South Wales only a month before he took a knife into the crowded Sydney mall on Saturday afternoon and killed six people in an unprovoked stabbing spree.
Several videos emerged on social media where the attacker was seen roaming around the mall with a knife in his hand.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese said his government has offered full support to the police to investigate the incident.
“It’s crucial that NSW Police be allowed to conduct their investigation without interference or speculation. Our government has offered its full support to the investigation,” the PM posted on X.
He said: “As we remember the victims of this terrible attack, we also pay tribute to the courage of those who prevented further harm.We can be so proud of their heroism and their compassion.”