NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, who shot dead Bondi Junction Westfield attacker Joel Cauchi, accepted she was “probably going to die” as she faced down the killer.

In a gripping session at the NSW Coroner’s Court, Inspector Amy Scott shared harrowing moments from April 13, 2024, when she confronted a knife-wielding attacker, Joel Cauchi, in a rapid assault that left six dead and ten injured at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center. Scott's testimony provides an intimate look into her mindset during the critical moments before she shot Cauchi. She described the terror of facing an armed attacker alone, aware that police generally have a significantly better chance of survival when supported by a partner. Foreseeing her own potential death, her qualifications as a police officer and her instinct for public safety compelled her to act without waiting for backup, showcasing exceptional courage. The inquest, which is unraveling the circumstances surrounding the attack, has shed light on the dangerous combination of mental health issues and the alarming ability of the mentally ill to inflict harm when untreated. Cauchi was diagnosed with schizophrenia yet remained unmedicated and unmonitored for five years leading to the attack, underscoring critical gaps in the mental health system. Evidence presented by counsel Peggy Dwyer revealed that Cauchi was fixated on violence and had conducted research into mass killings and serial killers shortly before the attack, indicating a concerning trajectory towards violence that had gone unnoticed. Scott’s emotional tribute to first responders, along with the haunting reality that many of her colleagues have been unable to return to work after the incident, highlights not only the extended impact of such tragedies on the community but also how heroism and trauma coexist in the life of officers on the frontlines. The inquest has prompted conversations around the systemic failures that lead individuals like Cauchi to such desperate actions, calling into question the state’s handling of chronic mental illness and the necessity for a reevaluated approach towards mental health care within law enforcement contexts. As the investigation progresses, the testimonies are reshaping the narrative around police interactions with individuals suffering from severe mental health crises, emphasizing the need for improved support systems that could potentially avert future tragedies.