Authorities announced on Sunday that the individual responsible for the tragic mass stabbing incident at a Sydney shopping center, resulting in the loss of six lives, was grappling with mental health challenges.
The perpetrator was identified as Joel Cauchi, a 40-year-old from Queensland, as revealed by Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke of the New South Wales (NSW) Police during a briefing with reporters.
Commissioner Cooke emphasized that the attack did not stem from any specific motive, ideology, or external influence, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency.
"While we continue to delve into the background of the perpetrator, it is evident to us at this juncture that mental health factors played a significant role in this unfortunate event," Commissioner Cooke stated.
The incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon when emergency services responded to distress calls reporting multiple stabbings at the shopping center, as outlined in a press release by NSW Police on Sunday.
Upon arrival, a police officer reportedly encountered Cauchi, who was armed with a knife. Cauchi allegedly made an aggressive move toward the officer, prompting the officer to use lethal force, resulting in Cauchi's demise, as detailed in the press release.
Tragically, five individuals—four women aged between 20 and 55, and a man in his 30s—lost their lives at the scene. Additionally, twelve others, including nine women, two men, and a 9-month-old infant, sustained stab wounds and were rushed to various hospitals in Sydney for treatment.
Sadly, a 38-year-old woman, initially in critical condition at St. Vincent's Hospital, succumbed to her injuries.
The police release also noted that several other individuals sought medical assistance for various injuries related to the incident.
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