Heroes Of Sydney Siege: How 2 Lost Their Lives And One Escaped Death
Katrina Dawson, barrister and mother of three, was killed alongside Tori Johnson, Lindt manager who tried to wrestle gun from the gunman's hands. RIP Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson.
By Sadho Ram — 16 Dec 2014, 11:25 AM — Updated almost 10 years ago
While the crisis inside a café in Sydney is over, the circumstances surrounding the incident, in which three people, including the gunman, died following a 16-hour standoff, remain murky. Little is known about the motives of Man Monis, the man behind the siege, or the details of the police ops that ended the hostage crisis.
Watch the moment heavily armed police officers entered the #SydneyCafe: http://t.co/DIQOIeF6d1 #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/6a0miKuRCh
— Latest on SAYS (@saysdotcom) December 15, 2014
The NSW police has identified the two victims as 34-year-old café manager Tori Johnson and 38-year-old lawyer Katrina Dawson
Café manager Tori Johnson's family has released a statement:
“We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for,” it read.
“We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson."
"We’d like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney; Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers."
The family expressed their “deepest gratitude” to the police, armed forces and paramedics for the efforts during the siege.
theguardian.com
According to reports in the media, the chaotic exchange of gunfire that ended a 16-hour siege at a Sydney café, reportedly began after Tori Johnson attempted to grab the gun from Man Monis, whose colleague described him as "a selfless leader" and a hero
"He put everyone else first," Peter Manettas, one of Johnson's former colleagues, said. "Anyone who has that inside him, it does not surprise me if he acted in such a way."
Tori, who was shot dead while trying to knock the gun from the hands of Monis, had worked at the cafe for more than two years, and had worked in a host of restaurants in Sydney and the US
"He was an amazing man," said Peter Manettas, who worked with Johnson for nearly seven years at the Adria Bar Restaurant in Darling Harbour. "He was a selfless person who always put staff above everyone. He put himself second."
“He led a team of 40 to 45 people and he stuck up for them. When there were awards handed out he made sure the team got the credit,” Mr Manettas said.
“He was a complete professional, a rare person in this industry. He was extremely ambitious but at the same time he was humble, a gentleman and never took praise himself.”
stuff.co.nz
Friends and family members leaving tributes were in tears
While Johnson died trying to wrestle the gun from the hands of Monis, Katrina Dawson, the second victim, was said to have been protecting pregnant friend and colleague Julie Taylor, whom she had been meeting for a coffee, as per a report by The Telegraph
Katrina Dawson, a respected barrister from Eighth Floor Selborne chambers, whose offices are opposite the cafe, was said to have be killed in the ensuing firefight while protecting pregnant friend and colleague Julie Taylor, whom she had been meeting for a coffee.
She is the daughter of a prominent businessman, attended Ascham, one of Sydney's most exclusive private girl's schools, and topped the state in her leaving certificate before graduating from Sydney University.
Katrina, who was injured in the firefight, died of a heart attack
Ms Dawson was tragically killed trying to defend her pregnant colleague, Julie Taylor.
The NSW Bar Association released a statement this morning. “Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar,” said Bar president Jane Needham SC in the statement.
“She was a devoted mother of three children, and a valued member of her floor and of our Bar community. Our thoughts are with her family at this time, including her brother, Sandy Dawson of Banco Chambers.”
perthnow.com.au
She was a highly regarded lawyer whose areas of practise included banking and insolvency law, commercial competition and consumer law, Corporations Law, Equity and Property
She was the sister of prominent media barrister Sandy Dawson, and the daughter of McKinsey executive and a sculptor. Sandy Dawson recently represented Fairfax Media in its defamation case against the treasurer, Joe Hockey.
Katrina Dawson completed a law degree at the University of Sydney and a Masters in law at the University of NSW.
She was married to Paul Smith, a partner at Mallesons, whom she met while completing her clerkship at the firm.
theguardian.com
A friend of Katrina's told the Australian Financial Review:
“I can’t even believe it is her. Just that face, the dimples, the eyes – she was just unforgettable
really.”
“I remember thinking how capable she always seemed, balancing a career and her kids.”
“One time we met for coffee and her two kids were bouncing all over her, drinking their baby chinos and decorating her plate with salt and pepper. But she was just so relaxed and doting on them.”
afr.com
In addition to her commercial practice, Katrina was a volunteer legal worker in Redfern, as per a report by The Guardian
Today the Redfern Legal Centre tweeted: “We mourn the loss of Katrina Dawson today, who contributed to the community in many ways including volunteering at RLC for many years. She’s remembered as one of our best volunteers who was well liked by all. Our thoughts are with her
family, friends and colleagues today.”
theguardian.com
Amidst these two brave departed souls, there's also a third person, a member of the NSW police force, who was shot in the face during the exchange of gunfire that ended the siege
"We have a male police officer who has been injured as a result of gunshot wounds to the face," Scipione said at a morning press conference. "I have talked to that officer. He is in good condition."
And these six words from the injured officer that says it all:
“I’ll be back at work tomorrow.”
The words came from the 39-year-old officer who received a minor injury due to a shotgun pellet grazing his face during the Martin Place siege. The officer left hospital this morning.
news.com.au
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said she had met with the officer who was a little bit shaken but otherwise ready to report for duty, local media reported
DCOP Burn has confirmed she's spoken to the police officer injured, who is going well under the circumstances. #MartinPlace
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 16, 2014
“I’ve spoken to him this morning,” DC Burn said. “He was on his way home actually, and his only words to me were ‘I’ll be back at work tomorrow’.”
news.com.au
NSW State Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the hostages were "very brave people who were just buying a cup of coffee and they got caught up in this dreadful affair"
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione visited the scene outside the Lindt cafe
Image via dailymail.co.uk"We should reflect on their courage, the courage that they displayed during the many hours in that room," he said. "They had to make decisions, hard decisions, and our heart goes out to them.'"
