Joel Cauchi, 40, from Queensland entered a local Bondi shopping centre just after 3pm on Saturday armed with a large knife and began terrorizing crowds of shoppers.
Joel stabbed at least 17, including a nine-month-old baby, and killing six before he was eventually shot dead by a female cop.
Now the parents of the attacker have sent a message to police after – recognising their son from footage on TV – saying they have ‘no issues’ with her action or that of the NSW Police.
In a statement, Cauchi’s family said: ‘We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.
‘Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened.
‘He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.
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The statement continued: ‘We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the Police Officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others and we hope she is coping alright.’
The officer, NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, was the first on the scene and risked her life confronting Cauchi.
Joel was schizophrenic and police are treating the horrific attack as mental-health related.
