Who is Joel Cauchi, the Sydney stabbing suspect who was shot dead?

The suspect who stabbed six people to death and injured 12 others in Sydney on Saturday was identified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi. Australian media reported on Sunday (Apr 14) that Cauchi was shot dead by the police. Witnesses said Cauchi, wearing shorts and an Australian national rugby league jersey, ran through the Westfield Bondi Junction mall with a knife, randomly attacking people.

Some shoppers and staff at the mall tried to stop him and crowds sheltered in shuttered shops. Addressing a press conference, New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said that the police had spoken to Cauchi's family following the attack.

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Who is Joel Cauchi?

Cauchi was a resident of Queensland and was previously known to police and had bought a storage unit in Sydney. A report by the news agency Reuters said that they had searched a small storage facility he had recently rented but found no major evidence to indicate an attack was coming.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
An attacker who fatally knifed six people in a Sydney mall was shot dead by police in the beachside suburb of Bondi, police said. Hundreds fled the scene https://t.co/XvLbFcE8Po pic.twitter.com/16v9LIlqAH — Reuters (@Reuters) April 13, 2024

The police said that the 40-year-old had mental health issues in the past and there was no indication ideology was a motive in the attack.

Cauchi's Facebook page showed that he worked as an English tutor at an online institution.

A look at Cauchi's social media posts

Six days before the rampage, Cauchi posted on social media seeking surfing companions at Bondi Beach. Australian media reported that he often posted in hobby groups on Facebook seeking friendship or tips on activities such as astrophotography through the years.

In December 2020, Cauchi wrote on an outdoor adventures page to ask members whether they would join him in a shooting session.

“Hi, I am looking for groups of people who shoot guns, including handguns, to meet up with, chat with, and get to know. Please send me a DM if you can help me out! I live in Brisbane by the way," he said in the post which is now being flooded with angry comments.

"Thank goodness you didn't get your hands on a gun...the devastation you have caused is horrible enough," a Facebook user reacted to the above post.

(With inputs from agencies)