An inquest into the tragic stabbing incident at Bondi Junction Westfield in April 2024 is examining the security response during the attack. Joel Cauchi, a 40-year-old man experiencing homelessness and mental health issues, entered the shopping centre armed with a pigging knife. Over a sudden and violent spree, he took the lives of six individuals and injured ten others before being fatally shot by a police officer.
The inquest, which resumed recently, is set to hear from three witnesses regarding the response from security personnel during this horrific event. Testimony will be provided by a manager from Scentre Group, the operator of the Westfield mall, along with two representatives from the Glad Group, the security contractor for the premises. Due to legal stipulations, the identities of these witnesses remain undisclosed.
Initial findings revealed that the CCTV control room was unmanned at the outset of the attacks, which is believed to have significantly hindered the security response. At the critical moment when Cauchi targeted his first victim, the sole security guard was on a toilet break. This absence allowed Cauchi to continue his assault, injuring several more individuals before the guard returned, causing security teams to scramble to address the rapidly escalating situation.
As the chaos unfolded, alerts and alarms were only activated once Cauchi was already subdued by police. Unfortunately, the issued alerts mistakenly advised patrons to evacuate, rather than to find shelter or escape from the armed attacker. Despite these missteps, the bravery of the responding security guards has been acknowledged, particularly as several were directly impacted by the violence, including Faraz Tahir, one of the six victims.
The victims of this tragic event include Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Jade Young, Pikria Darchia, and Yixuan Cheng, in addition to Tahir. As the inquest progresses, the focus will remain on assessing the adequacy of the security measures in place and identifying potential improvements to ensure public safety in such dire situations.