Westfield Bondi Junction massacre: Disturbing theory emerges about killer Joel Cauchi: ‘May you rot in hell’

A disturbing theory has emerged that the killer who went on a stabbing spree in Sydney yesterday may have targeted women.

The Saturday afternoon mass stabbing at the Westfield center at Bondi Junction has shocked the nation as a massive police investigation unfolds.

Six people, five women and one man, were killed in the attack and several others were injured.

A nine-month-old baby was among those stabbed and underwent surgery on Saturday night, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters on Saturday.

The child’s mother was one of those who died, passing her baby to strangers and begging them to help before she lost consciousness.

The knifeman was shot dead by a lone female police officer, Amy Scott, at the scene.

He has been identified as Joel Cauchi, 40, who is from the Brisbane area and had mental health issues, moved to Sydney from Queensland a month ago.

There is no suggestion that Cauchi was part of a particular ideology, with police treating the horrific attack as a mental-health incident.

Today presenter Karl Stefanovic said this morning he was ‘at a loss’ for his thoughts on the incident, but expressed his disgust at the number of female victims.

“I don’t care what the excuses are and I hope there is a special place in hell reserved for him given the fact that he walked past men and did nothing about it and attacked women, ” he said.

‘This perpetrator, may you rot in hell. Forgive me for saying this, but for what he has done, I don’t care

“A woman with a baby.”

Many others shared similar words online.

‘Could it be true that the Bondi attack was aimed at women? Five women, dead?’ she wrote.

‘I mourn male violence today. I can’t say oh my god because I have garbage gods. But the anger is rising.’

Another said: ‘This Bondi Junction stalker appears to have targeted WOMEN.’

On Nine’s Today Show on Sunday, terrorism expert Greg Barton said extremist groups would normally have posted online about the incident in advance to signal an imminent attack.

Sir. Barton also said the deaths of several women were “one of the ugliest aspects” of the “unbelievable tragedy”.

“I think it’s important that the police say they’re going to take their time, do the investigative work and tell us what they understand about motivation,” he said.

“Obviously the biggest threat we face in Australia day to day is domestic violence. Whether that’s involved here or not is a question.

‘But yes, the fierce attack of a mother and a child and other women is terrible.’

Lifeguard Andrew Reid from Bondi Rescue attended the shopping center and helped provide first aid to several of the victims.

‘She just wanted to be a mother, you know? She just wanted to be. And she was a beautiful person. And she would have been a great mother,” he said.

‘I don’t know how that father copes with what he has on his plate this morning, losing his wife and having a nine-month-old fighting for his life.’

Reid also remembered the devastating scene he came across.

“So the first victim was a young woman, like 30 to 40. And then the next victim I looked over, she was probably a little bit older, 40 to 50, maybe, but she was in a bad way,” he said.

‘She and the police were kind of trying to work on her, but oh my god, I’ve never … I’ve never seen so much blood.’

Reid said he and the other first responders were simply acting based on their training and experience

“But you know, to me some of the real heroes are the police officer who brought him down, the guy with the bollard.

‘Like, are you kidding me? As if he was keeping him in check. You know, it would have given time for more police to get there, for more people to get out of there.

“Like he’s an absolute legend.”

Police Commissioner Karen Webb said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Ms Webb said last night there was not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public.

“Let me assure you that we are confident there is no ongoing risk and we are dealing with someone who is now deceased,” Ms Webb said.

“The investigation will be ongoing for many, many days, but there are elements that we understand at this point that do not indicate (a terrorist attack), but as we move into the investigation, and the background of this person, his home, vehicle, associates, we will only know at that time.’