Joel Cauchi’s parents’ message for the cop who shot their son dead in stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction

The family of a Queensland man who went on a stabbing spree at Westfield frantically called police after recognising their son from footage on TV. 

Joel Cauchi, 40, entered the local Bondi shopping centre just after 3pm on Saturday armed with a large knife and began prowling through the complex.

The 40-year-old terrorised crowds of shoppers enjoying a day out, stabbing at least 17, including a nine-month-old baby, and killing six.

He was eventually shot dead by a female cop with Cauchi’s parents saying they have ‘no issues’ her action or the NSW Police.

He was schizophrenic and police are treating the horrific attack as mental-health related. 

Within minutes, as panicked shoppers ran towards the exits, lone police officer Amy Scott entered the centre and ran in the opposite direction, towards the danger. 

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.

‘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.’

Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe said Cauchi’s family had cooperated with police.

‘It’s a difficult time to tell anyone they’ve lost their son,’ Assistant Commissioner Lowe said.

‘Their first thoughts for us were to express their concerns regarding the family and victims of these crimes.

‘And in particular their thoughts around the police officer, who had to bravely act in such a manner.’

The family have said that Cauchi lived a ‘drifter’ lifestyle and that he was sleeping in a car and at backpacker hostels.

Assistant commissioner Lowe confirmed Cauchi had never been arrested, or charged by Queensland authorities.

He said the man’s last contact with police was in December 2023 where he was street-checked by police.

This refers to an ‘intelligence gathering report’ where an officer might record someone displaying ‘some kind of unusual behavior. 

‘That’ll form subjects of investigations but he’s never been charged with any offense relating to knife or being found in possession of knives in a manner that’s unlawful that would warrant prosecution,’ assistant commissioner Lowe said. 

Assistant commissioner Lowe also revealed Cauchi had been diagnosed with a mental illness at 17, however had ‘treatment over the years,’ before his mental health seemingly declined over the last few years.  

Records from Queensland Health said Cauchi last came into contact with the public health system ‘more than a decade ago,’ but had his care ‘transferred to a psychiatrist in the private sector in 2012’.

‘He has been in contact with the police, primarily in the last four to five years would be the most contact we’ve had with him,’ assistant commissioner Lowe said.

‘During that contact, we are aware that this individual has suffered from mental health.’

Police said Cauchi was unemployed, and did not have a fixed address, and had lived in Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, Carrina, the Gold Coast and with his family in south Queensland before moving to Sydney.

‘The last contact with the family was in March to my understanding,’ assistant commissioner Lowe said.

‘In terms of phone calls or texts, he would periodically text his mother with an update to where he was.’

Cauchi, who had moved to Sydney in recent months, listed himself on several male escort websites, including Australia Cracker, Empire Escorts and Escorts Australia. 

All websites allow users to upload their own pictures and solicit their own sexual services. 

In his bio, Cauchi described himself as an ‘athletic good-looking 39-year-old’ based in Sydney who was looking for a ‘fun time’. 

He offered dozens of ‘closed door services’ which are too graphic to publish. 

The profiles, which were set up around June 2023, were visible on the websites on Sunday morning, but were later deleted.