Westfield Bondi Junction fatal stabbing: Hero cop Amy Scott breaks silence

NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott has opened up on the moment she confronted 40-year-old knifeman Joel Cauchi.

Police Inspector Scott gunned down Cauchi, bringing an end to his rampage that killed six innocent people at Bondi Junction Westfield’s shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

The senior officer, who is attached to the eastern suburbs police command, was near the busy shopping centre as the horrific attack unfolded.

Inspector Scott entered the Westfield by herself, sprinting through the top level of the complex before coming face-to-face with Cauchi, who was brandishing a 30cm knife.

Witnesses said Inspector Scott yelled at Cauchi ‘put it down’ before he lunged at her, and she fired, shooting him in the chest.

Inspector Scott (pictured) said she was ‘content’ with her actions and did not consider herself to be a hero

She then performed CPR on the killer, along with other victims lying on the ground in nearby stores as she waited for backup to arrive. Cauchi was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Association of NSW boss Kevin Morton said on Monday that Inspector Scott was ‘content’ with her actions and did not consider herself to be a hero.

‘Amy is content with what she had to do,’ Mr Morton said.

‘I spoke to her last night and again this morning, and she said, ‘It was a night with not a lot of sleep’.

‘She knows she has been tagged a hero, but to her, she was doing her job.’

After the shooting, Inspector Scott underwent a gun-residue test and was separated from other officers before a colleague drove her home.

She will be formally interviewed as part of the investigation into the deadly stabbings on Sunday.

‘I didn’t ask her about the exact incident because she is yet to be formally interviewed,’ Mr Morton said.

‘Everyone will be keeping an eye on her obviously, there will be a lot of support from everyone.’

Police minister Yasmin Catley spoke with Inspector Scott on Saturday night, labelling the officer as ‘humble’.

‘I thanked her on behalf of the government and the people of NSW for her courage. She was so humble,’ Ms Catley said.

Ms Catley explained Ms Scott said, ‘It wasn’t just me; there were a whole lot of bystanders assisting and helping people’.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Inspector Scott was ‘doing well under the circumstances’ and praised her for her ‘enormous courage and bravery’ in a press conference on Saturday evening.

It’s not the first time Inspector Scott has been recognised for her acts of courage.

Insp Amy Scott  (second from the left) was recognised for her courage while stationed as a sergeant in Kings Cross in 2019

Inspector Scott’s bravery has been lauded by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prince and Princess of Wales

In 2019, she was a sergeant stationed at nearby Kings Cross when she was recognised at the Rotary Club Police Officer of the Year award ceremony.

She received the Demonstrated Courage and Devotion to Duty award.

Commissioner Webb, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns, and even the Prince and Princess of Wales have led the flood of tributes commending Inspector Scott’s brave actions.

While NSW Police was tight-lipped about the cop’s identity on Saturday night, Inspector Scott was unmasked online, where she was hailed as a national hero.

‘She was utterly fearless, brave and amazing. How many lives did she save today? Brave,’ one person posted on X.

Another added: ‘Absolute legend. Just happened to be in the vicinity and the first on scene. Didn’t even hesitate.’

A third wrote: ‘She did what she had to do in that situation. No f******g around or pandering to a murderer. We need more police like that.’

A fourth touted her as a possible Australian of the Year contender while other called for her to receive a bravery award.

Some pointed out she was wearing little protection.

‘No vest, no protective gear, no backup? No problems,’ one wrote.

Aussies across the country have hailed Inspector Scott as a national hero 

Others showed concern for the officer’s wellbeing.

‘While throwing words like ‘hero’ around, remember, the taking of a life will change hers as well. Heroes can be victims too, let’s hope she gets every bit of support needed,’ one commented.

Commissioner Webb revealed that she has spoken to Inspector Scott following the tragedy.

‘She showed enormous courage and bravery, and she will obviously process that,’ Commissioner Webb said.

‘She will need to be interviewed formally and so we just talked about that she’s OK and that her family’s OK.

‘She’s got everything she needs for the time being, and she will be formally interviewed tomorrow.’

Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke earlier said that the police officer engaged immediately on her arrival to the scene.

‘The officer was guided to the location of the offender by people who are in the centre, and she took the actions that she did, saving a range of people’s lives,’ he said.

The senior police officer was seen sprinting through Westfield Bondi Junction to single-handedly confront the knifeman

She confronted the knifeman alone on the top level of the shopping centre and shot him dead

She rushed to the aid of injured victims in nearby stores after shooting the knifeman dead

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos also commended Inspector Scott’s courage while paying tribute to the ‘everyday heroes’ involved, including a bystander who confronted the knifeman on the escalators.

‘She (the police officer) was there on her own and she went towards the danger,’ she told Sky News UK.

‘Even [after she shot the attacker], she immediately began applying CPR – that just shows you the dedication of the person and her incredible act of heroism – even then her main concern was for someone who had fallen.

‘I will be reaching out to the various service providers and to the police to see what practical support we can offer as a council.’

Mr Albanese held a snap press conference in Canberra to address the tragedy on Saturday night, where he also praised Inspector Scott. 

‘She entered the proceedings that were taking place, obviously very dangerous, by herself,’ he said.

‘She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her actions. 

‘Today is a reminder that those people who wear a uniform are people who rushed to danger, not away from it.’

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has launched a critical incident into the her brave actions.

‘The NSWPF are investigating the circumstances of the incident and this investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command,’ a statement read.

Westfield Bondi Junction is expected to remain closed for several days.