NSW police commissioner Karen Webb has revealed it could take weeks before all six victims of the horrific Bondi Junction attack have been identified.
Police commissioner Webb made the admission at a press conference on Sunday, revealing two of the victims were from overseas.
‘It may be some time before we can identify all of the victims, because some family members do not reside in Australia,’ she said.
Police commissioner Webb said help was being offered to families and friends impacted by the attack.
‘A family liaison officer has been appointed to each family for us to work with them in what is an extremely distressing time for them,’ she said.
Six innocent people were killed after Joel Cauchi, 40, launched into a terrifying stabbing spree at the local Westfield on Saturday.
Among the victims was 38-year-old mother Ashlee Good and her nine-month-old baby girl Harriet, who was injured and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Cauchi was shot by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott – who was one of the first officers on the scene.
NSW police commissioner Karen Webb has revealed it could take weeks before all six victims of the horrific Bondi Junction attack have been identified
NSW police commissioner Karen Webb said the identification of Saturday’s Westfield massacre could take weeks
The bodies of the victims and their attacker were removed Sunday morning from Bondi Junction Westfield
Devastated locals rallied together to show support to the Westfield victims by laying touching tributes at the site of the attack on Sunday.
Residents lay flowers on a nearby pavement outside the Westfield, attaching heartfelt messages to the bouquets.
With what started as one humble pink-flowered bouquet with the simple message of ‘R.I.P’ and a love heart, the tribute has grown considerably.
Many children were escorted by parents to place their floral tribute at the popular Sydney shopping precinct.
One woman with a toddler and a baby in a pram was seen laying flowers, no doubt moved by the plight of Ms Good and her nine-month-old baby girl.
As flowers were being laid, emergency services were seen wheeling the bodies of the victims out of the shopping centre on stretchers.
A line of white vans were parked otuside, awaiting to take the victims and the deceased attacker away from the scene.
Children are seen laying flowers in a tribute to the victims and the people fighting for life in hospital
Locals have rallied together to show a strong show of support
The outpouring of grief has brought residents together
The workers looked despondent as they wheeled out the bodies, which were in maroon bags.
Shortly after leaving the shopping centre, the vans drove past the floral tributes, which were next to the closed off road.
Wentworth federal MP Allegra Spender described it as ‘heartbreaking’.
‘We are all devastated by the shocking attack at Bondi Junction, where innocent people were killed in a senseless act of violence. It is heartbreaking,’ she said.
‘My heartfelt condolences go out to the victims, their families, and everyone who has been affected. Our thoughts are with each and every one of them.’
Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said she was left in ‘utter disbelief’.
‘It’s a close-knit community, people know each other because it’s a meeting place and considered safe, especially Westfield, where parents bring their kids,’ she said.
‘Importantly… this guy was acting alone. He was known to the Queensland Police. So we think there were mental health issues.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack.
‘The events of yesterday have shocked the nation,’ he said.
‘Australians are waking up to try to deal with the shock and trauma that will come with what has occurred, with violent actions that are unspeakable and really just beyond comprehension.’
‘People going about their Saturday afternoon shopping should be safe, shouldn’t be at risk, but tragically, we saw a loss of life and people will be grieving for loved ones today.
‘We also know there are many people still in hospital dealing with a recovery and our thoughts and prayers are with them. We also though at this time give thanks to our police and emergency services.’
Heartfelt messages were attached to some of the bouquets of flowers left at the scene on Sunday
One of the many children who visited the site with heartbroken families on Sunday
The floral tributes started with one simple bouquet and is growing every hour
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