The police officer who fatally shot the Sydney mass murderer on Saturday in a busy shopping mall is being celebrated as a “hero” who saved “many lives.”
Amy Scott arrived at the Australian mall alone and approached the suspect by herself, according to Sky News, coming face-to-face with him on the fifth floor of the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center. The killer, later identified as Joel Cauchi, had already killed six people and wounded at least twelve others, including a baby.
Cauchi allegedly lunged at Scott with his blade, and she shot him. Scott then attempted CPR on him until paramedics arrived, but he was already dead.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns hailed the “instinctive bravery” of Scott.
“Inspector Amy Scott, who ran towards danger, showed professionalism and bravery and without a shadow of a doubt, saved many, many lives in the last 24 hours,” Minns said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added that Scott was “certainly a hero” who selflessly saved many lives.
“The wonderful inspector who ran into danger by herself and removed the threat that was there to others, without thinking about the risks to herself,” Albanese added.
Police have said they are not treating the attack as terrorism-related and that they spoke with Cauchi’s family, who said he “battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.”
“Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened,” the family added, per the BBC.
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Twelve people reportedly remained in the hospital as of Sunday, suffering from injuries related to the attack.
Scott added that it was not just her who helped neutralize the threat, but that the bystanders around her were “so helpful.” One of them reportedly confronted Cauchi on an escalator.
