Australian police: Knife attackers probably went after women

Five of the six who were killed and most of the twelve who were wounded were women.

On Monday, Australian police stated that the evidence security from the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center has now ended.

– It seems obvious to me, and obvious to the investigators, that the attacker focused on women and that he avoided men. The videos speak for themselves, don’t they? “This is an obvious lead for us,” New South Wales state police chief Karen Webb told broadcaster ABC on Monday.

Eyewitnesses have described how the 40-year-old attacker Joel Cauchi, wearing shorts and a rugby shirt, ran through the shopping center with a knife. He was killed by policewoman Amy Scott, who confronted him alone while he was still carrying out the attack.

Australian police have stated that Cauchi has struggled with mental health problems and that there was no indication that he had any ideological motives. He was diagnosed with a mental illness in his teens and had received treatment, but his mental health had deteriorated in recent years, the police said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells ABC Radio that it is worrying if it turns out that the man specifically went after women during the attack.

– The New South Wales police have said that they see this as part of the investigation, says Albanese.

The only man killed by Cauchi was a mall security guard.

Violent episodes like Saturday’s stabbing are rare in Australia, which has some of the strictest gun and knife laws in the world.