"We are with you": Hero cop embraced at Bondi candlelight vigil
The victims of the Bondi Junction stabbing attack have been honoured at a candlelight vigil, with police officer Amy Scott, who ended the terror by shooting Joel Cauchi, stepping out for the first time.
Hundred of tearful mourners fathered at Bondi on Sunday night, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, NSW Minister Chris Minns also joined in the sombre event to pay their respects to those who died in the Bondi Junction Westfield one week ago.
The community gathered to farewell Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27, and Faraz Tahir, 30, who were all fatally stabbed by 40-year-old Joel Cauchi.
Cauchi was shot dead by police officer Amy Scott, who greeted and embraced emotional mourners at the vigil.
Scott's actions were praised by the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier, who recognised her bravery in protecting the crowds of innocent people at the shopping centre.
Speaking to the crowd, Mr Minns condemned Cauchi’s actions and the fear he instilled in the city’s residents.
“Every Australian woman deserves to feel safe in her community. This is your state and your city,” he told the emotional crowd.
“This is your home you have every right to live your life as you choose – free from fear and violence.”
“We will not be a state where a woman is forced to change their behaviour because of the feelings or anger of other people.”
The NSW Premier reminded mourners that millions of Australians shared their grief over the violent incident and were “in (their) corner” in the months to come.
“Grief can be a terrible burden, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reinforced that all of Australia was grieving for “all that has been stolen from us”, including “all the possibility and potential, all the kindness and humanity, all the love and laughter of the six lives snatched away” last Saturday.
He said the vigil was being held for those killed in the attack and for everyone affected, including the dozen people injured and the “survivors carrying the invisible scars of trauma and of fear.”
“We think of everyone still trying to come to terms with a hole in their life where a loved one should be,” Mr Albanese said.
“Every Australian is thinking of you. We are with you. "
"As a community, as a country today, tomorrow and always made those we have lost rest in eternal peace forever in our hearts.”
Image credits: Getty Images