Cop raced to Sydney mall knife horror to discover his fiancee – who had already bought wedding gown – was among 6 killed
A COP called to the Australian shopping centre knife atrocity discovered his fiancee was among the six victims killed, it emerged earlier tonight.
Ashley Wildey had been due to wed high school sweetheart Dawn Singleton — daughter of a millionaire advertising tycoon.
He had just finished his shift when he was dispatched with colleagues to the Westfield mall in Sydney’s Bondi Junction at 3.30pm local time.
Schizophrenic Joel Cauchi, 40, had gone on the rampage with a 12in blade, slaughtering five women and a male security guard.
First to be stabbed was a baby girl. Cauchi then continued lashing out until he was shot dead by hero police inspector Amy Scott as he charged at her.
A source said: “Ashley had arrived at Westfield when officers realised his fiancée was one of the victims.”
Pals told how 25-year-old Dawn, who worked for fashion house White Fox Boutique, had already bought her wedding gown and had been sending out wedding invitations with Ashley.
She was one of three daughters and eight children of well-known Aussie entrepreneur John Singleton, 82.
Earlier tonight, as Ashley was being comforted by friends and family, Dawn’s employers said in an Instagram statement: “She was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her.
“She was really amazing. We are all truly devastated by this loss.
“We send our condolences to her partner, the Singleton family and her friends.”
Cauchi launched Saturday’s frenzy by stabbing nine-month-old Harriet Good in front of her mum, osteopath Dr Ashlee Good.
First-time mother Ashlee, 38, threw her daughter to passers-by to save her and was then stabbed herself.
She died in hospital hours later. Harriet is recovering after emergency surgery.
She was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her
Dawn Singleton's employers
Dr Good’s family said in a statement: “Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human, and so much more.
“We appreciate the well wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.
“We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday, our baby is doing well.
“We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
“To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not — words cannot express our gratitude.”
The five others killed by Cauchi were declared dead at the scene.
They included 55-year-old artist Pikria Darchia, originally from Tbilisi in Georgia, and 47-year-old Sydney architect Jade Young.
Pakistan-born security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, had emigrated to Australia a year ago and was on his first shift at Westfield.
Police said the sixth victim to die came from abroad and they are still trying to contact her family.
Police declined to comment on claims Cauchi focused his rage on women, despite only three of the 17 people he attacked being male.
To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not — words cannot express our gratitude
Dr Ashlee Good's family
Eight injured women and two men were taken to hospital. Some are said to be in a serious condition.
HERO: IT’S MY JOB
COP Amy Scott modestly shrugged off her bravery in killing the Sydney knife fiend and insisted she was only “doing her job”.
The experienced inspector single-handedly confronted crazed Joel Cauchi as he charged at her with a 12in blade.
She yelled “put it down” before firing.
Married Amy was passing the shopping centre when she heard about the attack and ran inside to stop Cauchi.
The Police Association’s Kevin Morton said: “Amy’s content with what she had to do.
“She knows she’s been tagged a hero — but to her she was doing her job.”