NSW authorities have reported a notable improvement in the condition of the nine-month-old baby girl who was stabbed during the Bondi shopping centre attack. The positive update comes as an independent coronial inquiry into the incident has been announced.
The tragic event, which occurred at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday, resulted in the fatalities of six individuals, including the baby’s 38-year-old mother, Ashlee Good. The other victims were identified as 25-year-old Dawn Singleton, 47-year-old Jade Young, 55-year-old Pikria Darchia, 27-year-old Yixuan Cheng, and 30-year-old Faraz Tahir, a Pakistani national who served as a security guard at the shopping centre.
According to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, there has been a significant shift in the baby’s condition from critical to serious, a development he described as a substantial improvement. Park expressed hopefulness that the baby might soon be transferred from intensive care to a ward in the upcoming days, terming it a positive outcome. He acknowledged the considerable support being extended to the baby’s family during this challenging time.
In the aftermath of the attack, three injured individuals have been discharged from the hospital, while eight others continue to receive medical care across various hospitals in Sydney. As a mark of respect for the victims, flags are being flown at half-mast throughout Australia.
Premier Chris Minns has announced a funding allocation of $18 million for a coronial inquiry into the incident. The inquiry will be conducted independently, with an assistant deputy state coroner appointed to oversee all forensic investigations during the public inquiry. Minns outlined that the inquiry would delve into various aspects, including the response of NSW Police to the attack, their subsequent criminal investigation, and any prior interactions the perpetrator, Joel Cauchi, had with authorities both in NSW and Queensland, where he had recently relocated from.
Addressing concerns about public safety, Minns stated that his government was evaluating the need for additional measures to assist security guards in safeguarding the public, emphasizing that there were no considerations for policy changes regarding stun guns or firearms.
In light of the gender demographics of the victims, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb acknowledged that it seemed “obvious” women were targeted in the attack. However, she cautioned against drawing conclusions about the offender’s motivations, highlighting the ongoing investigation’s focus on gathering insights from individuals familiar with Cauchi.
NSW Police emphasized the extensive nature of their investigation, which could span “weeks and months,” given the volume of potential witnesses and video footage to scrutinize. Webb stressed the importance of interviewing families affected by the tragedy, albeit recognizing the slow and meticulous process due to the emotional trauma they are enduring.
As investigations continue, authorities urge any additional witnesses to come forward. Joel Cauchi was fatally shot by a lone female police officer, Inspector Amy Scott, on the day of the attack.
