The New South Wales Police commissioner has stated that videos of the attack “speak for themselves,” indicating that the man who fatally stabbed six people in a busy Sydney shopping center targeted women specifically. The victims included five women and one man, with the majority of those injured also being women. Identified victims included a designer, architect, volunteer surf lifesaver, student from China, new mother, and a Pakistani security guard who tried to stop the attacker.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb emphasized that the suspected attacker, Joel Cauchi, appeared to focus on women and avoided men during the attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern over the gender breakdown of the victims and mourned each one.
Videos shared on social media showed Cauchi targeting mostly female victims as he went on his rampage, eventually being shot dead by police inspector Amy Scott. Australia has set its national flag at half-mast in honor of the victims at major venues including Parliament House and Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.