Sydney police believe Bondi Junction mall attacker deliberately targeted women

A horrific stabbing rampage at a Sydney shopping center has left six people dead, with police revealing that the attacker appeared to target women. Joel Cauchi, 40, caused chaos at the Westfield Bondi Junction complex on Saturday, wielding a long blade and attacking multiple victims.

Of the six fatalities, five were women, including Jade Young, Ashlee Good, Pikria Darchia, Dawn Singleton, and Yixuan Cheng. The only man killed was security guard Faraz Tahir, who bravely tried to intervene during the attack.

Authorities have described the incident as likely related to Mr. Cauchi’s mental health, as he had a history of mental illness and had recently stopped taking his medication. His father, Andrew Cauchi, expressed sorrow for his son’s actions, attributing them to his struggles with social skills and frustration.

The attack has deeply shaken Australia, where mass killings are rare. Flags were flown at half-mast, and tributes poured in for the victims, with mourners leaving flowers, teddy bears, and heartfelt messages at the scene.

A special strike force has been established to investigate the incident, with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announcing an inquiry into the police response and the killer’s interactions with government agencies. The community is reeling from the tragedy, with plans for a potential permanent memorial to honor the victims.