The Sydney mall attacker who fatally stabbed six people on April 13 has now been identified.
The Sydney mall attacker, who killed multiple people with a knife at the Westfield Shopping Center in Sydney, Australia before being fatally shot by a responding police officer has been identified as 40-year-old Queensland man Joel Cauchi, per the New South Wales Police.
According to the department, Cauchi was treated on the scene by paramedics at the Bondi Junction mall, but he ultimately “could not be revived and died at the scene.”
Five other people died at the scene, including four women “believed to be aged between 20 and 55” and a man in his 30s, police said. All have “yet to be formally identified,” per authorities. Another 38-year-old woman died at the hospital.
While New South Wales on April 13 stated that it was “unable to confirm the identity of people involved,” multiple outlets have since reported that the deceased 38-year-old woman was Ash Good, the mother of a hospitalized infant victim.
Per News.com.au, three other victims have been identified as Jade Young, Dawn Singleton and Faraz Tahir.
Twelve others, including nine women, two men and the 9-month-old child, had been hospitalized following the attack, per the New South Wales Police.
During a press conference on April 14, which was shared in full by 9 News Australia, Queensland Police Acting Asst. Comm. Roger Lowe said that he was “aware this individual has suffered from mental health” issues, referring to Cauchi.
Lowe added that police have since spent time with the man’s family, and 7 News Australia reported that the family initially reached out to police after seeing video of the stabbing attack.
The family said in a statement that they found Cauchi’s actions “horrific” and added that he had mental health issues “since he was a teenager,” the BBC reported.
“We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday,” the statement read, per the outlet. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time. Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened.”
Woman Who Died After Australia Mall Stabbing Was Mom of 9-Month-Old Baby Injured in Attack: Reports
The family also shared, per the BBC, that it had had “no issues” with the officer who shot him, adding that she was “only doing her job to protect others, and we hope she is coping alright.”
According to News.com.au, the statement came from Cauchi’s parents Andrew and Michele.
The crime scene is now being “forensically examined” as the mall remains closed, per New South Wales Police.
“A critical incident team comprised of detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and the Central Metropolitan Region have established Strike Force Mcauley to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” police said. “The investigation will also be subject to an independent review.”