Sydney knife attacker's family sends heartfelt message to police officer who shot dead their son

The family of Sydney knifeman Joel Cauchi say there are "absolutely devastated" by the actions of their son, who killed six people in a horrifying attack on Saturday in Sydney

The family of the Sydney knifeman say they are “struggling to comprehend” the horror caused by their son, when he stabbed to death six people.

Joel Cauchi, 40, from Queensland, killed four women, and a man in his 30s who was a security guard at the shopping centre on Saturday, with another woman later dying in hospital. He was later shot and killed by Inspector Amy Scott at the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction in the east of the city.

The family of the lone knifeman said in a statement: “We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday. 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. He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.

“We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others. We hope she is coping alright.”

Tributes have been paid to Cauchi’s victims, who included mother Ashlee Good, 38, who handed her baby over to strangers after being attacked. She died in hospital and her nine-month-old daughter Harriet, who was also injured in the attack, has undergone surgery.

A statement from Ms Good’s family provided to Australian broadcaster ABC said the child is “doing well”. They added: “Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human, and so much more.”

Dawn Singleton, the 25-year-old daughter of Australian businessman John Singleton, was named as one of the victims by local media. Two of the victims are from overseas and police are attempting to contact their families. Slain security guard Faraz Tahir was named and labelled “courageous” by the Australian Pakistani National Association. New South Wales Police confirmed a fourth victim was 47-year-old Jade Young, who worked as an architect in Sydney. A further 11 people are receiving treatment in hospitals around Sydney for injuries, with a 12th person discharged from hospital on Sunday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the “extraordinary” bravery of people at the shopping centre during the attack. He said: “We see the footage of ordinary Australians putting themselves in harm’s way in order to help their fellow citizens

“That bravery was quite extraordinary that we saw yesterday, the best of Australians amidst this extraordinary tragedy.”

New South Wales premier Chris Minns called the attack “horrifying” and praised the efforts of the police inspector who shot Cauchi, adding: “Sydney has suffered a horrifying and violent attack on innocent people who are doing something everybody does on the weekend and that is going shopping with their family and their friends.

“Of course, Inspector Amy Scott, who ran towards danger, showed professionalism and bravery and without a shadow of a doubt, saved many, many lives in the last 24 hours.”