Joel Cauchi identified as Westfield Bondi junction knife killer: Horrific new ... trends now
The killer who murdered six people in a stabbing spree at Bondi Junction Westfield's shopping centre was looking for surfing buddies just days before the massacre.
Six innocent shoppers, including five women and a man, were stabbed to death at Bondi Junction Westfield's shopping Centre on Saturday at about 3.20pm.
Police identified the knifeman as 40-year-old man Joel Cauchi, who moved to Sydney from Queensland a month ago. He lived with schizophrenia, and police are investigating a potential history of targeting women.
Just six days before the attack, Cauchi invited Sydneysiders to join him for a surf at Bondi Beach in a post shared to a Facebook group for beginner surfers.
Cauchi wrote: 'Hi I am surfing Bondi this afternoon if anyone wants to meet there for a surf!'.
Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six people and critically injured nine others, including a nine-month-old baby, in a stabbing spree at Bondi Junction Westfield's on Saturday
The post received a barrage of negative reactions moments after police confirmed Cauchi's identity on Sunday.
In another post, shared in December 2020 to an outdoor adventure Facebook group for Brisbane residents, Cauchi explained he wanted to meet with people who shoot guns.
'Hi I am looking for groups of people who shoot guns, including handguns, to meet up with, chat with and get to know. Please send me DM if you can help me out! I live in Brisbane by the way,' Cauchi wrote.
He also recently posted in various astronomy groups asking if he could tag along with an astrophotographer on a night time adventure so he could learn more about the hobby.
Police confirmed Cauchi, who is originally from the Brisbane area, was suffering from mental health issues.
There is no suggestion that Cauchi was part of any particular ideology, with police treating the horrific attack as a mental-health-related incident.
Police are currently searching through a 'very small storage facility' in Sydney that Cauchi rented out shortly after the move.
He was reportedly sleeping rough and had no fixed address.
Six days before the horrific attack, Cauchi invited social media users to join him for a surf at Bondi Beach (pictured)
Cauchi entered the shopping centre brandishing a large knife (pictured). He was shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott
Cauchi was actively looking for a place to live, having made a profile on Flatmates - an online website for those looking
