A security supervisor dealing with the aftermath of a mall stabbing spree has acknowledged that things could have been done differently.
Joel Cauchi, 40, brought a 30cm knife to Bondi Junction Westfield and launched an unprovoked, violent attack on April 13, 2024.
He killed six people and injured another 10, including a nine-month-old baby.
The supervisor stated that there had been earlier concerns regarding the operator’s skills in competency and communication, which led to her receiving extra training.
Despite the concerns, the operator was left alone in the control room on April 13.
Under questioning from counsel assisting Christopher Murphy, the supervisor reflected on what happened.
“I wish we did better, I wish we did different,” he said.
He also regretted not personally heading to the control room after the first stabbing occurred.
The supervisor instead sent another trusted, experienced officer.
Communication difficulties have also been raised during the inquest after radios were filled with chatter during the attacks.
While dashing through the mall, the supervisor assisted in providing first aid to several victims on the ground and then proceeded to find privacy screens upon noticing children witnessing the distressing events.
Security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, was one of those killed in the attack.
Barrister Lester Fernandez SC, representing Mr Tahir’s family, asked whether there should now be two people in the CCTV control room at all times.
“That would be a good idea,” the supervisor replied.
Bondi Junction Westfield security guards now receive additional training and practice drills for armed offender situations, he said.
Guards had also been issued stab-resistant vests.
Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27, also lost their lives in the attack.
Yesterday evening, the coroner shared footage of Cauchi’s engagement with Queensland Police in early 2023, which followed his father taking away his collection of military knives.
The collection included a knife that was the exact type used in the Bondi Junction mall attack a year later, an inquest into the stabbings was previously told.
