The family of a Queensland man who was stabbed in Westfield frantically called police after recognizing their son from TV footage.
Joel Cauchi, 40, entered the local Bondi shopping center just after 3pm on Saturday, armed with a large knife, and began sneaking around the complex.
The 40-year-old terrorized crowds of shoppers enjoying a day out, stabbing at least 17 people, including a nine-month-old baby, and killing six.
He was eventually shot dead by a female officer, with Cauchi’s parents saying they had “no problems” with her actions or with the NSW Police.
He was schizophrenic and police are treating the horrific attack as mental health related.
Queensland man Joel Cauchi (pictured) has been named as the man who murdered five women and one man at Bondi Junction shopping center
The 40-year-old was shot dead by a police officer, Amy Scott, while on a murderous rampage at the mall with a knife
Within minutes, as panicked shoppers ran for the exits, lone police officer Amy Scott entered the center and ran in the opposite direction, toward the danger.
In a statement, Cauchi’s family said: ‘We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that took place in Sydney yesterday.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those currently receiving treatment.
“Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to understand what happened.
‘He has been struggling with psychological problems since he was a teenager.
‘We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police and Queensland Police and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others and we hope she is doing well. ‘
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Roger Lowe said Cauchi’s family had been cooperating with police.
“It’s a difficult time to tell someone they’ve lost their son,” Deputy Commissioner Lowe said.
“Their first thoughts to us were to express their concerns for the families and victims of these crimes.
‘And especially their thoughts around the police officer, who had to act so courageously.’
The family has said Cauchi led a vagabond lifestyle, sleeping in a car and in backpacker hostels.
Assistant Commissioner Lowe confirmed Cauchi had never been arrested or charged by Queensland authorities.
He said the man’s last contact with police was in December 2023, where he was checked by police on the street.
This refers to an “intelligence collection report” where an officer may record someone exhibiting “some unusual behavior.”
“That will be a subject of investigation, but he has never been charged with any offense relating to knives or being found in possession of knives in a manner that is unlawful and would warrant prosecution,” Assistant Commissioner Lowe said.
Assistant Commissioner Lowe also revealed that Cauchi had been diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 17, but had been treated “over the years” before his mental health apparently deteriorated in recent years.
Queensland Health data says Cauchi last came into contact with the public health system “more than a decade ago” but his care was “transferred to a private sector psychiatrist in 2012”.
“He’s had contact with police, which would be the most contact we’ve had with him especially in the last four to five years,” Assistant Commissioner Lowe said.
‘During that contact we are aware that this person has psychological problems.’
Police said Cauchi was unemployed and of no fixed address, and had lived in Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, Carrina, the Gold Coast and with his family in southern Queensland before moving to Sydney.
“It is my understanding that the last contact with the family was in March,” Assistant Commissioner Lowe said.
“As far as phone calls or texts, he would regularly text his mother with an update on where he was.”
Cauchi, who had moved to Sydney in recent months, listed himself on several male escort websites including Australia Cracker, Empire Escorts and Escorts Australia.
All websites allow users to upload their own photos and request their own sexual services.
In his biography, Cauchi described himself as an ‘athletically handsome 39-year-old’ based in Sydney who was looking for a ‘good time’.
He offered dozens of “closed door services” that are too graphic to publish.
The profiles, which were created around June 2023, were visible on the websites on Sunday morning, but were later removed.