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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ariel Bogle

False claims started spreading about the Bondi Junction stabbing attack as soon as it happened

Bondi Westfield shopping centre
Six people were killed after Queensland man Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing spree at Bondi Westfield shopping centre on Saturday. The attack ended when police shot Cauchi dead about 4pm. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA

The police operation in Bondi Junction was still under way on Saturday as false claims about the attacker’s motivations and identity began to circulate online.

Police said on Sunday they had no indication that the stabbing spree committed by Queensland man Joel Cauchi was motivated by a particular belief system – but that didn’t stop speculation spreading on social media that the assailant was motivated by a variety of religious or political ideologies.

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