Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have joined tearful mourners at a candlelight vigil to farewell the victims of the Bondi Junction attack on Sunday.
Groups of young people were seen crying and clutching knitted teddy bears as the somber event began at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Dolphin Court at Bondi Beach.
Lone knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six people and stabbed 12 more during a murderous rampage through the popular Sydney shopping center last Saturday.
Another six victims – two men, three women and a nine-month-old baby – are recovering in hospital in a stable condition.
The state government and Waverley Council organized a candlelight vigil to mourn the lives lost in the attack that shocked the nation.
Hundreds of people gathered at the sunset vigil, which will involve a one-minute silence to honor the dead.
Hero cop Inspector Amy Scott was met with hugs from her colleagues as she arrived at the vigil for the victims of the attack.
She chased down the lone attacker and shot him before he could injure anyone else.
Crowds of young people were seen embracing and wiping away tears as the vigil got underway.
The prime minister is expected to address the crowd massed at the beachside vigil.
“I think if we can stand together during the difficult periods, we can send a message that there are far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and there is evil,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Saturday.
“Those that have lost loved ones have said unanimously that they can feel the community support behind them and that they know that they’re not alone.”Minns said the vigil would be an opportunity to “stand by those that have lost loved ones and remember those that have been killed.”
Among those killed in the attack was security guard Faraz Tahir.
Tahir, who had come to Australia after fleeing persecution in Pakistan, was killed attempting to protect shoppers from Cauchi.
“He is not just a hero for us but the whole nation,” Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association national president Adnan Qadir said.
“We are here in large numbers to carry on Faraz’s legacy by reflecting on his bravery, courage, and giving strength to our youth that they too must always be ready to serve others and, most importantly, this beautiful country.”
Five of the six people killed were women – Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27.
Counselors and support services have been made available to emergency responders who have been on the scene of multiple violent attacks in Sydney this week.
