Detectives are investigating the life and background of 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, who killed six people during a stabbing attack at a busy Sydney shopping centre yesterday, as fresh details of the mass murder emerge.
NSW Police said the man from Queensland was shot dead by a senior police officer inside Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon, after setting upon several people inside the complex with a knife and triggering an evacuation.
Six people were killed, including four women and one man who was a security guard. They all died inside the centre.
A fifth woman, identified as 38-year-old Ashlee Good, died in hospital from her injuries.
Her nine-month-old daughter was also attacked and remains in hospital.
"Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all round outstanding human and so much more," her family said in a statement.
The family have also thanked the two men who "held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not", saying "words cannot express our gratitude", and the NSW police and emergency services for their assistance and kindness.
Two of the victims had no family in Australia and authorities were trying to contact their families.
Eleven injured people, including Ms Good's baby who has since undergone surgery,remained in Sydney hospitals, Health Minister Ryan Park said.
Three people presented to hospitals for injuries overnight.
The patients are being treated at St Vincent's Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and St George Hospital, where four are in intensive care units (ICU), one is critical but stable, one is serious but stable, one is critical and seven are stable.
Ms Good's baby is at Sydney Children's Hospital and is in ICU in a serious but stable condition.
Warning: Some readers may find the following details of the attack, witness accounts and footage of the incident distressing.
Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said Cauchi recently came to Sydney from Queensland and he had hired a "very small" storage facility, which investigating officers had now accessed.
"We have no information, we have received no evidence, we have recovered no intelligence that we have gathered that would suggest that this was driven by any particular motivation, ideology or otherwise," Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
"We are continuing to work through the profiling of the offender but very clearly to us at this stage it would appear that this is related to the mental health of the individual involved."
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe saidCauchi has never been arrested by police or charged with an offence but had come into contact with police in recent years when his mental health declined.
Cauchi's family contacted authorities after seeing footage of the attack last night.
"They have [also] sent a message to the New South Wales Police with respect to support of the police officer who has killed their son and expressing their concerns for her welfare," Assistant Commissioner Lowe said.
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Shopping centre now 'very active crime scene'
Many shoppers sheltered in locked stores while scores of others ran to the closest exit of the shopping centre, one of the biggest in Sydney.
Witnesses described panic and confusion inside as the seriousness of the situation became clear.
Premier Chris Minns praised the response of "the ordinary members of the public that cornered and confronted a murderer" saying they demonstrated "instinctive bravery under terrible circ*mstances".
He singled out the actions of Inspector Amy Scott, who he said "ran towardsdanger".
"[She] showed professionalism andbravery and without a shadow of thedoubt, saved many, many lives in thelast 24 hours," Mr Minns said.
Inspector Scott was expected to be interviewed by police later today.
The Westfield was now a "very active crime scene", according to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.
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It will remain closed on Sunday as authorities help with the removal of vehicles that remain in the car park.
Anyone with information about the attack, witnessed it or have photos or video from the scene have been encouraged to contact police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police investigating attacker
Assistant Commissioner Cooke said Cauchi was known to authorities and there were "elements" that indicated it was not a terror-related motive.
Police were combing through his background, home, vehicle and associates to learn more about the man, but said they did not believe he was targeting any specific victim or victims.
However, Commissioner Webb said reports he targeted women after removing the knife from his backpack were "an obvious line of enquiry".
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Witnesses said the first signs of trouble came when they saw shoppers running.
Mr Minns said Queensland Premier Steven Miles has offered full cooperation of that state's authorities in the investigation.
Videos from inside the centre show the knife-wielding man was confronted by others who tried to stop him as he moved between levels.
Commissioner Webb said the attack happened across a "broad area" in the shopping centre.
Several graphic videos showed attempts to perform CPR on the injured, as an evacuation alarm echoed through the otherwise empty complex.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) was also assisting state police with the investigation.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said it was too early to determine a motive and it would be "unhelpful to speculate".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack had shocked people across the country.
"Australians are waking up to try to deal with the shock and trauma that will come with what has occurred, with violent actions that are unspeakable and really just beyond comprehension," Mr Albanese said.
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