Final arrangements are underway for a five-week inquest into the tragic Bondi Junction shopping mall attack that claimed six lives, coinciding with the first anniversary of the incident. On April 13, 2024, the assailant Joel Cauchi, aged 40, inflicted stab wounds on at least ten individuals during a horrific three-minute rampage at the bustling shopping centre in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The victims who lost their lives include Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30. Among the injured was a nine-month-old baby, who thankfully recovered and was discharged after treatment. The incident was brought to an end when Inspector Amy Scott from NSW Police fatally shot Cauchi on the fifth level of the complex, just five and a half minutes into the attack, as shoppers desperately fled for safety.
The inquest, overseen by NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan, aims to explore the details surrounding the event and seek prevention strategies for future tragedies. Key questions include the criteria Cauchi used to select his victims, predominantly women, as well as potential missed chances for intervention and improvements in emergency service responses.
Scheduled from April 28 to May 30, two weeks following the attack’s anniversary, the inquest’s pre-hearing will take place today at the Coroners Court to finalise any outstanding matters. This comes shortly before a memorial for the victims is set to be revealed at the shopping centre.
The memorial will feature photographs and messages gathered from floral tribute sites and a candlelight vigil, on display from April 10 to 16. The public is invited to pay their respects, with support officers available at the memorial on April 12 and 13.