Australia, ISIS, hostages

[Theredandthewhite]

What the bloody hell is going on? Poor people

Fingers crossed they all leave unharmed

I'm watching Australian news, by the way at stupid o'clock in the morning thanks to insomnia.

They think possibly, because the gunshot was the impetus for the storming of the café; but it will have to be confirmed.

5 hostages injured overall, but 3 critically.
one policeman suffered a gunshot graze to the face but it's not serious.

It did say on the news here that the building was stormed only after gunshots had been fired within.

They're now saying that there are unconfirmed reports that another hostage has since died. :(

Oh no

BBC profile of the person believed to be the hostage taker

It says he was facing more than 40 charges of sexual and indecent assault, and was on bail over charges of being an accessory to murder. Plus previous convictions for sending offensive letters to the families of deceased service personnel.

RIP to both if true. Needless. Completely needless.

26Point2Miles 'sheik' just means 'wise man' it isn't a Royal title in the same way as King. It's given to those that may deserve it or adopted by some with ideas of grandeur.

Three people are now confirmed dead. I'm not sure if that's three hostages or three in total. So sad.

Two hostages and the gunman dead.
twO hotages with he serious injuries. One police officer with a head wound due to ?gun shot,
Couple others with minor injuries,

Awful, awful, awful

The policeman just had a facial graze from a shotgun pellet. It's fine, he's been released from hospital.
One hostage almost certainly shot by the gunman, as the police sniper reported that a hostage had fallen after shots were heard inside the café.
The other died later in hospital from their injuries.
That leaves 2 hostages who were critically wounded, situation currently unknown (in hospital) and 2 other wounded hostages who were stable at time of entry to hospital.

I think the Premier may have to answer a few questions as to why he was out on bail, given the list of charges.

Apparently the two in hospital have minor injuries. Still a lot of conflicting reports.

They're not that conflicting over here, but I guess the timing of passed-on news creates Chinese whisper effects.
The casualties were spread over 3 hospitals which doesn't really help for accuracy either.

www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2014/12/16/live--sydney-siege-ends-as-police-storm-cafe.html
This will keep updating.
The male hostage who was killed was trying to wrest the gun from the gunman, apparently; the female hostage who died from her wounds was a 38 yo barrister, mother of 3. My heart goes out to both her family, and that of the man who appears to be as yet unnamed. Dreadful, unnecessary tragedy. :( :(

I put it down to the dire level of reporting these days. I can't even call,it journalism.

I agree. It does help a bit being in the right country though, they tend to be a wee bit more on the ball - it's when it gets passed around it goes a bit askew.
Not that it's any joy to be here just now - heavy feelings all around, lots of dismay that Sydney has now joined the cities who have been under terrorist attack. Apparently they will be liaising with London authorities to see how to move forward, since London has a fairly longstanding history of how to deal with terrorism and the aftermath (IRA, 7/7 bombings etc.)

It's nearly 10:00am in Sydney. Does anyone know if there will be a press conference today with a first official version of events?

(It'll probably take longer for a full, verified account, but I'd expect some sort of statement before too long).

As far as I know, there has already been a police statement - almost certainly there will be some kind of official response today, yes.

They were discussing that on the news at around 4am; hope the authorities follow through on it, yes. Trauma counselling at the very least; hopefully that will cater for "survivor guilt" as well. :(

It is unbelievable. The man who died has been named - he was one of the café workers. The woman who died has 3 young children.
It is hard not wonder why such an evil fucked up nutter was allowed out on bail.

There's a lot of concern about who they let out on bail over here, tbh - the laws are far too lax. Remember Jill Meagher (RIP) was killed by another fuckwit who was out on bail for rape, and these aren't isolated cases. :(

I think this will (or should be?) the main focus in this instance, because at least something can be done - don't let dangerous idiots out on bail! Or, if they have to be, then give the the ankle bracelets and keep them on house arrest. But they shouldn't be out and roaming the streets.

I hope there will be some questions asked about letting such a dangerous person out on bail.