Shock as cops dismiss major theory on why Westfield Bondi attacker Joel Cauchi ... trends now
The theory that Westfield Bondi Junction knifeman Joel Cauchi was specifically targeting women in his stabbing spree at the shopping centre has been dismissed by police.
Six people - five women and one male security guard - were killed when 40-year-old Cauchi attacked people with a 30cm knife on April 13.
A nine-month-old baby girl was one of 12 others that were stabbed before the knifeman was shot dead by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said after the gender pattern of the attack was clear.
'It's obvious to me... The offender focused on women and avoided the men,' Commissioner Webb told the ABC on April 15.
However, a month on from the attack, there is a debate within NSW Police about that theory.
One senior police source was sceptical, pointing out that Cauchi also stabbed men but not fatally.
Police are no longer convinced Bondi Junction Westfield knifeman Joel Cauchi (pictured) was targeting women when he embarked on a violent stabbing spree
Victims pictured L-R top row: Yixuan Cheng, 27, Ashlee Good, 38, and Pikria Darchia, 55. Pictured L-R bottom row: Jade Young, 47, Dawn Singleton, 25, and Faraz Tahir, 30.
'Do I think he was targeting women? No, I don't. He stabbed three men and a baby, he was just running around stabbing people,' the source told the Daily Telegraph.
Those killed in the attack were new mother Ashlee Good, 38, bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25, security guard Faraz Ahmed Tahir, 30, architect Jade Young, 47, artist Pikria Darchia, 55, and economics student Yixuan Cheng, 27.
