Following a fatal knife attack at a Sydney shopping centre, police are investigating whether the assailant specifically targeted women, leaving six dead, with five victims being women.
Sydney police are currently examining if a knife attack at a local shopping centre specifically targeted women, following an incident where six individuals were fatally stabbed, five of whom were women. New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb pointed out that the assailant appeared to select women as his victims, based on evidence from CCTV footage. In response to this deadly event, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate every aspect, including any connections the attacker might have had to misogynist groups.
The victims of the attack were identified as Dawn Singleton, 25, daughter of prominent businessman John Singleton; architect Jade Young; Pikria Darchia; security guard Faraz Tahir; Ashlee Good; and Yixuan Cheng, a Chinese student. The Prime Minister also commended the courageous responses during the incident and spoke on the solidarity among Australians in the wake of such tragedies.
Following the incident, flags at government buildings across Australia have been lowered to half-mast. A permanent memorial is under consideration to honor the lives lost. The shopping center where the tragedy unfolded is temporarily closed as the investigation persists. The attacker, identified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, had a known history of mental health issues but had no prior criminal charges in Queensland. His family has expressed their devastation and extended their condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
