NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott has opened up about the moment she confronted 40-year-old knifeman Joel Cauchi.
Police Inspector Scott shot Cauchi, ending his rampage that left six innocent people dead at Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center on Saturday afternoon.
The senior officer, who is attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Command, was near the busy shopping center when the horrific attack took place.
Inspector Scott entered the Westfield alone and sprinted through the complex’s top floor before coming face to face with Cauchi, who brandished a 12-inch knife.
Witnesses said Inspector Scott shouted at Cauchi to “put it down” before he came at her, and she fired, shooting him in the chest.
Inspector Amy Scott shot dead knifeman Joel Cauchi after killing six innocent people in a stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center on Saturday (pictured)
Inspector Scott (pictured) said she was ‘satisfied’ with her actions and did not consider herself a hero
She then performed CPR on the killer, along with other victims lying on the ground in nearby stores as she waited for help to arrive. Cauchi was pronounced dead at the scene.
NSW Police Association boss Kevin Morton said on Monday that Inspector Scott was “pleased” with her actions and did not consider herself a hero.
“Amy is happy with what she had to do,” Mr. Morton said.
‘I spoke to her last night and again this morning and she said, ‘It was a night with not much sleep.’
“She knows she’s been labeled a hero, but for her, she did her job.”
After the shooting, Inspector Scott underwent a weapons residue test and was separated from other officers before a colleague drove her home.
She will be formally interviewed on Sunday as part of the investigation into the fatal stabbing.
“I have not asked her about the exact incident as she has yet to be formally interviewed,” Mr Morton said.
“Everyone will obviously keep an eye on her, there will be a lot of support from everyone.”
Police Minister Yasmin Catley spoke to Inspector Scott on Saturday evening and described the officer as ‘modest’.
“I thanked her on behalf of the Government and people of NSW for her courage. She was so humble,” Ms Catley said.
Ms Catley explained that Ms Scott said: ‘It wasn’t just me; there were a lot of bystanders assisting and helping people’.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Inspector Scott “did a good job under the circumstances” and praised her for her “tremendous courage and bravery” at a press conference on Saturday evening.
This is not the first time Inspector Scott has been recognized for her courageous actions.
Insp Amy Scott (second from left) was recognized for her bravery while stationed as a sergeant in Kings Cross in 2019
Inspector Scott’s courage has been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prince and Princess of Wales
In 2019, she was a sergeant based in nearby Kings Cross when she was recognized at the Rotary Club Police Officer of the Year awards ceremony.
She received the Demonstrated Courage and Devotion to Duty award.
Commissioner Webb, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns and even the Prince and Princess of Wales have led the outpouring of tributes praising Inspector Scott’s courageous actions.
While NSW Police remained tight-lipped about the officer’s identity on Saturday evening, Inspector Scott was exposed online, where she was hailed as a national hero.
“She was completely fearless, courageous and amazing. How many lives has she saved today? Brave,” someone posted on X.
Another said: ‘Absolute legend. Coincidentally, I was in the area and was the first on the scene. I didn’t even hesitate.’
A third wrote: ‘She did what she had to do in that situation. No fussing or giving in to a murderer. We need more police like that.”
A fourth praised her as a possible contender for Australian of the Year, while others called for her to receive a bravery award.
Some pointed out that she was wearing little protection.
“No vest, no protective gear, no backup? No problems,” one person wrote.
Australians across the country have hailed Inspector Scott as a national hero
Others expressed concern for the officer’s well-being.
“While you’re throwing around words like ‘hero,’ remember that taking a life will change hers too. Heroes can also be victims, let’s hope she gets all the support she needs,” said one person.
Commissioner Webb revealed that she spoke to Inspector Scott after the tragedy.
“She has shown tremendous courage and courage, and she will obviously deal with that,” Commissioner Webb said.
“She’s going to have to be formally interviewed and that’s why we just talked about how she’s doing well and her family is doing well.
“She has everything she needs for now and will be formally interviewed tomorrow.”
Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke previously said the police officer took action immediately upon her arrival on the scene.
“The officer was led to the perpetrator’s location by people who were downtown, and she took the actions she did, which saved the lives of a whole bunch of people,” he said.
The senior police officer was seen sprinting through Westfield Bondi Junction to confront the knifeman alone
She confronted the knifeman alone on the top floor of the mall and shot him dead
She rushed to the aid of injured victims in nearby shops after shooting the knifeman dead
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos also praised Inspector Scott’s bravery and paid tribute to the ‘everyday heroes’ involved, including a bystander who confronted the knifeman on the escalators.
“She (the police officer) was there alone and went towards the danger,” she told Sky News UK.
‘Even [after she shot the attacker]she immediately began performing CPR – that just shows the dedication of the person and her incredible act of heroism – even then her main concern was for someone who had fallen.
‘I will contact the various service providers and the police to see what practical support we as a municipality can offer.’
Mr Albanese held a brief press conference in Canberra on Saturday evening to explain the tragedy, where he also praised Inspector Scott.
“She took part in the procedure that took place there, which was clearly very dangerous, on her own,” he said.
‘She’s definitely a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her actions.
“Today we remember that the people wearing uniforms are people who rushed towards danger, not away from it.”
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has launched a critical incident in its courageous actions.
“The NSWPF is investigating the circumstances of the incident and this investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command,” a statement said.
Westfield Bondi Junction is expected to remain closed for several days.