Six victims of Saturday’s deadly stabbing spree at Bondi Junction have been identified. Among the fatalities is a security guard killed in the line of duty. The shopping centre remains closed until further notice.
Six people were fatally stabbed on Saturday afternoon and the attacker, later identified as Joel Cauchi, was shot by a lone policewoman. The Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction remains closed until further notice.
Elliott Rusanow, CEO of the Scentre Group, confirmed that a member of its security team was one of the fatalities.
“It is with immense sadness that I confirm the terrible news that one of our security team members, Faraz Ahmad Tahir, suffered fatal injuries while trying to protect the community during yesterday’s tragedy in Westfield Bondi,” Rusanow said in a statement.
“We are devastated by Faraz’s passing and recognise our team member’s bravery and role as a first responder. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all who are mourning the loss of loved ones.”
Rusanow also confirmed that another Westfield security team member is in hospital, after being injured in the attack. At least 12 people have been hospitalised for stab wounds and others have sought medical treatment for injuries.
“One of our security team members, Faraz Ahmad Tahir, suffered fatal injuries while trying to protect the community during yesterday’s tragedy in Westfield Bondi.”
Elliott Rusanow, CEO Scentre Group
“Our thoughts and concerns are also with the families and carers of those injured in the attack and the everyday heroes whose actions prevented further loss of life. Another member of our security team was injured and remains in hospital,” says Rusanow.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Tahir had worked just four or five shifts at Westfield Bondi, and arrived in Australia last year as a refugee. He is a national of Pakistan.
Scentre Group confirmed that GLAD is the security partner for Westfield Bondi. It is not known if Tahir and the injured security team member were employed through GLAD or Scentre Group.
“We are providing mental health and counselling services for our customers, business partners and people. Our team continues to provide full assistance to the NSW emergency services response and investigations into yesterday’s tragedy.”
All of the other victims of Saturday’s horrific attack were women.
Ashlee Good
Ashlee Good, 38, was attacked while holding her nine-month-old daughter. Good handed her baby to a man in the shopping centre while fighting for her life. She was taken to hospital but did not survive. Her daughter was also taken to hospital and was in critical condition. She is now stable according to the NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.
“I speak on behalf of the entire nation who held its breath over the weekend that (the) young nine-month-old girl who went to Sydney Children’s Hospital is now in a serious, stable condition,” Park told radio station 2GB.
Pikria Darchia
Pikria Darchia, 55, was a resident of Bondi Junction and mother of two. It has been reported that she was an artist and lived in Georgia.
Dawn Singleton
Dawn Singleton, 25, is the daughter of businessman John Singleton and Julie Martin. Singleton is survived by her fiance. She studied at UTS, and worked at White Fox Boutique. White Fox posted a tribute to Dawn via social media.
Jade Young
Jade Young, 47, was an architect and mother of two children. She was a member of the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club.
“I sadly have to report that a Bronte SLSC member, Jade Young, lost her life during the tragic events in Bondi Junction yesterday,” the statement from Bronte Surf Life Saving Club reads.
Yixuan Cheng
Yixuan Cheng was a student studying in Australia, according to a report on Channel Nine. Cheng did not have family in Australia and police had been trying to contact her family in China before making her name public.
