CCTV Footage Released of Inspector Amy Scott’s Confrontation With Bondi Junction Attacker
Warning: This story contains content that may be distressing to some readers.
For the first time, footage has been made public showing the moments leading up to NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott fatally shooting the Bondi Junction attacker, Joel Cauchi, as part of the ongoing coronial inquest into the tragic stabbing rampage.
The video, shown during proceedings at the Coroners Court of New South Wales, includes both a CCTV recording and a 3D digital reconstruction of the April 13 incident at Westfield Bondi Junction.
The CCTV begins with Cauchi, wielding a knife, pausing before ascending an escalator. Soon after, Inspector Scott is seen entering the centre, guided by witnesses who point her toward Cauchi’s location.
She ascends the same escalator to level five and runs toward the suspect, followed closely by French construction workers Silas Despreaux and Damien Guerot, who had earlier attempted to stop Cauchi by throwing bollards at him.
Mr Despreaux, in a statement to police, said Inspector Scott led a group of witnesses as they followed public directions to track the attacker.
The CCTV shows Cauchi abruptly turning back and charging at Inspector Scott. In response, she draws her weapon and aims — the footage ends at that point.
Inspector Scott testified that she fired three shots: two struck Cauchi, and the third hit a nearby pot plant. A 3D reconstruction revealed she was 6.5 metres away when she opened fire.
Mr Despreaux, standing behind Scott during the shooting, said Cauchi appeared to be targeting her and showed no signs of stopping.
“He got very close to the officer,” Mr Despreaux recalled. “It was obvious to me he intended to harm her.”
In her opening remarks, Counsel Assisting the Coroner Peggy Dwyer SC acknowledged the overwhelming grief experienced by the victims’ families, calling it “truly unfathomable.”
The six people killed in the attack were Dawn Singleton, Jade Young, Yixuan Cheng, Ashlee Good, Faraz Tahir, and Pikria Darchia.
NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan assured families the court would provide all possible support throughout the proceedings.
The inquest is expected to continue until May 30, with testimony from around 40 witnesses. Hearings will resume on Monday.
