A first-time mother defending her baby from a knife-wielding man, the daughter of a millionaire advertising guru and an on-duty security guard are among six people killed in a terrifying attack at a major Sydney shopping centre.
Osteopath Ashlee Good, 38, died after Joel Cauchi, 40, attacked dozens of people at random in Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon.
She was rushed to nearby St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition but died that night.
Her nine-month-old daughter was also injured during the mass stabbing and remained in intensive care on Sunday after undergoing emergency surgery.
Dr Good, the daughter of former North Melbourne AFL player and board member Kerry Good, was remembered by her family as a "beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend" and an "all-round outstanding human".
Two brothers, who did not give their names, told Nine News they helped stem the bleeding from the mother and child's wounds after the woman thrust the baby into their arms begging for help.
Dr Good's family thanked the duo after they "held and cared for" the baby when she was unable to do so herself due to her injuries.
"We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred," they said in a statement.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who went to school with Dr Good's partner Daniel Flanagan, said it was "incomprehensible" that such a beautiful family had been so "aggressively affected" by the tragic events.
Also among those killed was Dawn Singleton, the daughter of multi-millionaire advertising entrepreneur John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin.
The 25-year-old, who posted her fiance's proposal on social media in July, worked for Sydney-based fashion label White Fox Boutique.
She was described as a "sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her" in a statement from the company.
Architect and mother of two Jade Young, who worked nearby in Double Bay, was the third victim identified by police.
Faraz Tahir, the only man among the six dead, was working as a security guard at the shopping centre when he was killed.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia said the 30-year-old had sought refuge in Australia about a year ago after fleeing persecution in his home country of Pakistan.
"He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness," the group said.
Pikria Darchia, a 55-year-old artist and designer, was named as the fifth victim on Sunday evening.
At least 12 others - including nine women - were taken to hospital after suffering stab wounds in the attack, although some had been discharged by Sunday afternoon.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said part of the investigation would involve looking at the possibility Cauchi was deliberately targeting women in his attack.
The 40-year-old, who had recently moved to Sydney from Queensland, had a history of mental health issues and had previously come to the attention of police in both NSW and his home state.
His rampage ended when he was shot and killed by a police officer.
Premier Chris Minns said all of NSW would need to get behind the families of those affected by the tragedy as they went through the inevitable grief of such a horrifying event.
Flags will be flown at half-mast over the Sydney Harbour Bridge following the tragedy, while the Sydney Opera House Sails will be lit at night with a black ribbon.
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