Bondi inquest hears series of 'missed opportunities' before fatal massacre in week two of evidenceIBy Isabella RossTopic:Courts1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 9:26pmLoading...In short:Queensland Police and Westfield staff answered questions about what could have been done to prevent the stabbing attack at Bondi Junction in the second week of the coronial inquest.A security boss told the court the events last April were "truly traumatic" for all involved, many of whom have since left their full-time roles.What's next?The inquest is expected to run until Friday, May 30.abc.net.au/news/bondi-junction-stabbing-inquest-week-two-missed-opportunities/105274262Link copiedShareShare articleA lost email concerning Joel Cauchi's declining mental health, an overlooked emergency assessment and a briefly-empty CCTV security room are all being considered "missed opportunities" in the Bondi Junction stabbing.Within the space of over three minutes on the afternoon of April 13, 2024, the lives of many were irreparably changed when Cauchi killed six people.WARNING: This story contains content that readers may find distressing.In week two of the coronial inquest, questions were put to Queensland Police about what could have been done to avoid the mass casualty event.Security and management at Bondi Junction Westfield were also asked about their response to the attack on the day and potential mishandling.'Opportunity was missed' after email warningCauchi — who had been "fixated" on his father taking his knife collection — was visited by two officers on January 8, 2023.Later that day, they emailed an internal police mental health coordinator requesting a follow-up on Cauchi's mental health.If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline on 131 114Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue on 1300 224 63613 YARN on 13 92 76Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOutSANE on 1800 187 263Call triple-0 if you need immediate careSergeant Tracy Morris, a mental health intervention coordinator, was on leave at the time the email was sent.The relieving officer, Senior Constable Peter McDiarmid, missed the email, telling the court: "Unfortunately it was an oversight and I did not manage to follow up."When asked by Counsel Assisting the Coroner Peggy Dwyer SC if the incident was a "missed opportunity by police", Constable McDiarmid said "I accept that".On the stand, Sergeant Morris became emotional, saying: "His oversight on that email is devastating and is not indicative of him as an officer … On any day I could receive 30 to 40 emails … it's fast becoming an overwhelming role."Clockwise from top left: Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Tahir, Jade Young, Pikria Darchia, Dawn Singleton and Ashlee Good were killed. (Supplied)Constable Hope Porter, one of the officers who had the interaction with Cauchi in January 2023, wished she had "followed up" on their email correspondence."Everybody is doing the best with what they have … We do have a mental health co-responder now that we do use, and they are invaluable," she said.Emergency assessment overlooked due to 'confusing' criteriaQuestions over whether Cauchi should have been detained and transported to an emergency department following the January 2023 interaction with police were made by Dr Dwyer.An emergency examination authority (EEA) is the legal mechanism by which a person's behaviour indicates they are at immediate risk of "serious harm" in relation to mental health.The related legislation allows police to involuntarily take a person to a public sector health service facility, such as an emergency department, for an examination.The attending officers in January 2023 chose not to take Cauchi for an emergency assessment, partly because of "confusion". (Supplied)The attending officers on the day chose not to take Cauchi for an emergency assessment, partly because there was "confusion" around the serious harm element of the EEA criteria.Dr Dwyer asked Sergeant Morris whether hypothetically she had been one of the officers on the scene that day, if she would have implemented an EEA."There may have been an opportunity for an emergency examination authority, based on my skill set," she said.When asked by Dr Dwyer if the legislation needed to be amended for clarity on what constitutes serious harm, Sergeant Morris agreed.CCTV control room inefficienciesA security boss who was supervising on the day of the attack said it was protocol that regardless of how long or short a break they were taking — including visiting the bathroom — they needed to ensure there was a fellow officer to relieve their CCTV watch.A female officer, referred to as CR1, left the control room to go to the bathroom at 3:32pm on April 13, meaning there was no active CCTV monitoring in place when Cauchi began his attack.The court was told CR1 had struggled performing in the role, with a reassessment of her ability a discussion point among her managers.A security boss said it would be preferable to implement a policy for two officers to be in the CCTV control room at Westfield Bondi Junction at any given time. (ABC News: Monish Nand)The security boss, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the inquest he wished he had been present in the CCTV control room during the incident."It's one of my strengths, I could have assisted … but we'll never know," he said."I wish we did better."He said it would be preferable to implement a policy for two officers to be in the CCTV control room at any given time, rather than one.'Life hasn't been the same since'The security boss told the inquest that April 13 was "truly traumatic" for all Westfield staff involved."Not everyone understands the fear and chaos we faced. I know that some of you are still carrying the weight of that day and that life hasn't been the same for you since," he said in a statement directed towards his team."I see your strength, I recognise your pain. I'm truly grateful to every single one of you. I thank you for being there with me."Out of those in his team who were present on the day of the attack, "only two of us are still working full-time", he said."I don't want to take away anything from anyone," he noted, extending his "heartfelt condolences" to the victims' loved ones."I hope we can take away valuable lessons from this inquest."The inquest is expected to run until Friday, May 30.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 9:26pm, updated 27m ago27 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 10:04pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)If you need someone to talk to, call:Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890QLife on 1800 184 527Top Stories'Third party' vote looks set to beat CoalitionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A triangular chart showing an example of some electorates shifting from LNP to 'Other candidates' at the 2025 federal election'We've hit the lottery': Businesses cash in on Labor's home battery rebateTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows A man with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses on top of his head smiles at camera.Labor win turns sour as the bloody realpolitik takes centre stageLAnalysis by Laura TinglePhoto shows Two men in orange hi vis vest, with one holding up a dollar coinIndia's retaliation to terror attacks reflects a changed strategy. Is it working?Analysis by Hannah JosePhoto shows Two of India's French-made Rafale fighter jets in lockstep in the sky at Aero India 2021.A girl's police interview brings 'truth' into focus during mushroom murder trialTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtRelated storiesWrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimePhoto shows Paramedics stand with stretches near vehicles on a road.'Code black': Security call amid Bondi Junction stabbing revealedTopic:CourtsPhoto shows emergecny services outside bondi junction westfield after stabbings What was learnt about the Bondi stabbings in first week of inquestTopic:CourtsPhoto shows Footage of Cauchi running towards Amy Scott who is holding a gunRelated topicsBondi JunctionCourtsCrimeMassacresMental HealthNSWPoliceSydneyTop Stories'Third party' vote looks set to beat CoalitionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A triangular chart showing an example of some electorates shifting from LNP to 'Other candidates' at the 2025 federal election'We've hit the lottery': Businesses cash in on Labor's home battery rebateTopic:Energy IndustryLabor win turns sour as the bloody realpolitik takes centre stageLAnalysis by Laura TingleIndia's retaliation to terror attacks reflects a changed strategy. 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