Sydney's Bondi Westfield mall reopened its doors on Thursday for the first time since a tragic incident on Saturday, where a man armed with a knife claimed the lives of six individuals before being shot by police.
The Westfield mall, situated approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the renowned Bondi Beach, welcomed residents to pay their respects to the victims. Stores remained closed, while a poignant white floral tribute adorned the second floor. As visitors traversed the halls, many were moved to tears, with digital screens displaying black ribbons in lieu of advertisements.
Normal trading operations are set to resume on Friday, with authorities announcing plans for a candlelight vigil at the beach on Sunday to honor the memory of the victims.
For Vinny Jovanovski, owner of the Glo Bar cafe on the mall's fifth floor and a witness to the attacks, walking through the reopened mall evoked painful memories. However, he expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community during this challenging time.
Despite being known as one of the world's safest cities, Sydney faced another stabbing incident on Monday, further unsettling residents. The assailant from Saturday's attack, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, was reported to have struggled with mental health issues, as confirmed by both police and his family.
Cauchi, dressed in shorts and an Australian national rugby league jersey, wielded a knife as he rampaged through the mall, claiming the lives of six individuals and injuring at least 12 others. Inspector Amy Scott ultimately brought an end to the violence by fatally shooting Cauchi.
Some individuals, including Damien Guerot from France, attempted to intervene and stop Cauchi during the rampage. Guerot, now known as "Bollard Man," used a post from a queue barrier to hold Cauchi back.
Martine Wachtenhein, 66, who was present at the mall on Thursday, tearfully recounted her close encounter with Cauchi. She expressed gratitude towards Guerot for his bravery, acknowledging that his actions potentially saved her life.
