Terrifying

[reggie11]

There are currently approximately fifteen hostages being held by a gunman in a cafe in central Sydney city, around 3km from where I live. It's thought that there were around twenty people inside and they were taken hostage at 10am, it's now almost 9pm. Five people, have managed to escape since 4pm although the police are refusing to say whether they escaped or were released. The police have finally managed to get the gunman to speak to their negotiator but have stated that he still hasn't revealed his reasons or demands. He did however force several of the hostages to call at least one television station and a radio station although there has been a blanket ban on them releasing any information. He has told the police that none of the hostages have been harmed so far. A black flag with white Arabic writing, in what looks like a home made version of the Islamic Black Standard flag has been pressed to the window. There's been a lot of speculation but it's impossible to know if this is terrorist related or if it's just some nutcase pretending to be Muslim.

The Lindt Cafe is popular, both with tourists and office workers, I've been there more there once as they serve the best hot chocolate in town. The cafe is usually really busy all day so I guess it's fortunate that there weren't a lot more people involved. It's terrifying to think that all of these people had gone in for morning tea and a madman with a pump action shotgun trapped them all. Automatic weapons would be incredibly difficult to obtain in Australia, and so far the only weapon seen has been the shotgun, but he is also carrying a backpack so who knows if it contains some kind of home-made bomb. He's been using hostages as human shields whenever he has been anywhere near a window. I'm not even sure if people in the surrounding business and offices are still trapped as they were all ordered, earlier in the day, to stay indoors but the upper levels of the building have all been evacuated, slowly and a stealthily as possible, by emergency crews with ladders.

Things like this happen so rarely in Australia, thank God, so we are all reeling. It gives me hope that this might end without any loss of life because five people have managed to escape and the hostages have been seen being given food. I'm really hoping this means the gunman wants to make a statement of some kind, and that he doesn't intend to hurt anyone. We can only hope.

I still can't believe this is happening.

Comments

[alexisjane.livejournal.com]

Crappen...I heard about this when I woke up. It's the main news story here by the looks of things. So many people here have relations in Oz, it's so scary. I hope everyone gets out okay ♥ xx

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it seems it's news all over the world. Messages of support from various world leaders have been pouring in. Usually if there's a hostage crisis here it's due to a domestic situation gone wrong. Things like this are almost unheard of here. It's frightening as hell.

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that you weren't in that cafe! Have been watching the live coverage and so grateful that no-one I know is involved, but of course, just hoping so hard that those who are being held hostage are released soon without harm.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

God yes. I'm so glad I decided to do my Christmas shopping online instead of going into the city. I have no idea if anyone I know is involved. I know people who work in and around Martin Place.

I have a feeling that it'll end in suicide by cop but I just hope he doesn't take anyone with him.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of you when I woke up this morning to hear the news. Utterly terrifying. The only good thing is that some people have already managed to get out of there unharmed, and like you say, we can only hope the rest will do the same.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

After our previous convo about weapons, this seems surreal. The fact that some people managed to get out and he is allowing everyone to eat has to be a good sign, surely. I'm so thankful that it would be nigh on impossible for someone to get hold of automatic weapons here. Things could be a whole lot worse if he had an arsenal that could wipe everyone out in just a few seconds. I just wish we knew what the hell he wants!

[big-heart-june.livejournal.com]

My thoughts go out to all of them...how utterly terrifying indeed :(( really really really hope this'll end okay ♥ *hugs*

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

I guess that's all any of us can do. Hope. It's all so insane :(

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

Jeez. :( It's not those ISIS/ISIL idiots, is it?

*hopes everyone gets out okay*

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

I think everyone thought so at first but the flag he held up is all wrong for it to be ISIS. They've stated on the news that they don't think it is. The worst thing is this is going to stir up even more hatred toward the Muslim community. I have a number of Muslim friends and they're all just as horrified as everyone else. They also know they're going to be looked at suspiciously yet again because of the lunatic extremist fringe. I just wish he'd give his demands or make his statement so we know what it's all about. Those poor people. I can't even imagine.

[chellexxx.livejournal.com]

I woke up to the news this morning, it does look terrifying. It's on every news channel here - UK

My brother, sister-in-law and my 2 nephews flew out to your beautiful country to visit family late last week, though they're not in Sydney, i think.

I really hope that this ends peacefully

God bless

xxx

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

I hope wherever your relatives are, they're nowhere near Sydney. I'm also hoping that this siege isn't a smokescreen. Keep everyone busy while something bigger is in the works. My mind is totally running away with me. Things like this just don't happen here.

I hope it all ends peacefully as well.

BTW, I love your icon!

[chellexxx.livejournal.com]

There is something going on in Belgium at the moment, an armed siege too. The news channels are not actively connecting the incident to Sydney, but they are keeping an eye on it

makes you wonder huh???



The icon by deans_fetish, i love it and use it every Christmas period, there is one for all SPN characters and actors. I have the Sam one too

xxx

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh! I'll have to look it up. Why can't people just get along? I don't understand such hatred.

[chellexxx.livejournal.com]

I just got in to find that it is all over, bar the clean up and counseling for the survivors. My prayers go out to all of them and their families & friends.

A hostage killed and they're reporting 5 injured, so far, is dreadful way for this to end.

I was wrong when i thought that my brother & his family were not in Sydney, they are there, for a wedding, before heading off to Perth. Thank God i didn't know they were there all this time

My thoughts are with you and all your countrymen & women

*Hugs*

xxx

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

It's horrific but I'm surprised there weren't more casualties. Reports here say there are two confirmed dead (one of which I'm assuming was the gunman) and several critically injured so the death toll may rise.

The police really had no choice but to storm the building. I'd been waiting for it to happen since we found out who the gunman was and that he had absolutely nothing to lose. He was facing serious prison time already for his part in his wife's murder and countless sexual assault charges.

My heart is so heavy for the families of the hostages and the surviving hostages whose lives are so royally ruined by this.

I'm beyond furious that our lax legal system let a man who came into this country as a refugee then was charged as an accessory to a horrific murder, who was facing more than 40 sexual assault charges, who had written the most foul letters to the families of our dead soldiers, and who was a known Islamic extremist was allowed to be walking around on bail. Maybe they'll finally do something to change the system so that something remotely positive can come of this tragedy.

It's almost 5am here and I'm unable to sleep. This has just been so bloody upsetting. I'm dreading waking up tomorrow to the backlash that will occur against good Muslim people and refugees. There are so many xenophobic people in this country who are incredibly vocal about refugees being bad for Australia and this is just going to give them more ammunition.

At least there have been thousands of people using the #illridewithyou tag on social media. It shows that the majority of us are not hateful.

*hugs you back*

[chellexxx.livejournal.com]

I hope you can get some rest now that it's over.

I've just been reading about how #illridewithyou got started. It really moved me, there's a report here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-30479306

It actually made me cry, with hope


xxx

[herminekurotowa.livejournal.com]

This is something I just can't wrap my head around, regardless of whether it's a terrorist or a madman. I just can't.

I hope it's over soon and no one gets hurt.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

Me neither. What on earth could make anyone do such a thing? And if this is something to do with religion, it's even more baffling to me. How can someone hurt or terrorise another human being and say it's in the name of God. I'm an atheist but I was brought up Catholic. It's always been my understanding that religion is supposed to be about love, peace, and forgiveness. It's utter madness.

13 hours in, all the lights have been turned off. Still nothing. My heart goes out to the hostages and their families and loved ones.

[saltandburnboys.livejournal.com]

Just awful. My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families. :-(

xx

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

Just dreadful. And now we find out that he's some self appointed Islamic preacher who's out on bail as an accessory to murder. If this doesn't show the government how ridiculously lax our courts are then nothing will. If he were behind bars awaiting trial where he belongs all of these people would have been safe. I really fear for their safety.

[saltandburnboys.livejournal.com]

Aw, no. How did he even get bail? Christ. It sounds like our laws over here. :-/ And this is just gonna fuel the ever growing Islamophobia when this has absolutely nothing to do Islam...god... :-(

xx

[saltandburnboys.livejournal.com]

*with Islam

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

Many Aussies have stood up to show that we know this man doesn't represent all Muslims. After a young Muslim woman removed her Hijab on a train for fear of reprisal attack, a woman told her to put it back on and walked her to her destination. She started the #illridewithyou tag on Twitter which has exploded. I think it's trending worldwide now. So many people are offering to take public transport with Muslims who may be afraid of abuse or attack, especially the women whose clothing makes them stand out. It makes me proud to be Australian.

[kazluvsbooks.livejournal.com]

It is so scary!! I have had the TV on all day. Worse for you as you are closer.
Let's pray for a resolution tomorrow and for all the poor hostages tonight.

Thank God no one has been hurt so far.

(((CeeJay)))

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

It's just horrible. All of those people are still in there and they must be utterly terrified. And Muslims all over Australia are scared to leave their homes for fear of retaliation.And as the man was a refugee there will be yet another witch hunt about boat people. When will it end?

I hope with all my heart that nobody gets hurt, but so much damage has been done with this even if there is a peaceful resolution.

(((hugs to you too)))

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Oh sweety I heard about this on the news! I'm so glad you're okay! Seriously, I am so happy you weren't in that cafe! ♥

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

God, me too. I can't even imagine. And knowing me, if I were I'd be the idiot trying to talk him down. I just want them all to be safe. It's so awful.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

It's still all over the news here *shudders*

[meus_venator]

You know I saw that video late last night just before I went to bed and thought what were the chances you were in there? Thanks goodness you're not. Just weird though. How does this advance any cause? And they'll probably find the person is an native Australian. That's what's happening in Canada, radicalized natives. UGHHH.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

We've just found out who it is and what it's about but they aren't releasing his demands. He is a former refugee who is now a self styled cleric. He is out on bail awaiting trial for charges of being an accessory to the brutal murder of his wife. He is also facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges and has a conviction for sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers.

He took his case to the Supreme court to have have his conviction regarding sending the offensive letters overturned. He just lost the case. The most frightening thing is his lawyer says he suffered some abuse while in custody, and probably fears he has nothing to lose as he's likely to be found guilty for his participation in his wife's murder. That makes him even more dangerous. Now I really fear for the remaining hostages.

At least he's being denounced by the majority of Australian Muslims, although Facebook took his page down because it was garnering tens of thousands of likes. Scary.

[hunenka.livejournal.com]

I saw it on the news in the morning, immediately thought of you. So glad to hear you're okay.

Now all I can do is pray for those who are stuck there...

Stay safe!

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

Yes, let's hope the lunatic can either be talked down or taken out by sniper before any hostages get hurt. What a terrible, frightening time for the hostages and their loved ones. I hope they all return home safely.

I'm really proud of the Aussie response to the Muslim backlash. The #illridewithyou is trending all over the world. You can't beat hate with hate, you only beat it with love.

[hunenka.livejournal.com]

The #illridewithyou is something wonderful. And it's exactly things like this - people coming together, hepling each other in times of crisis, fighting hate with love - that give me hope whenever I start thinking along the lines of "this world's too fucked up to be fixed".

[somer.livejournal.com]

*hugs you* Heard it on the radio. Last I heard is that they got in and got the rest of the hostages out. They are talking about two dead people :( Thank god you're doing okay!!!! I can't even imagine...

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

It's horrible but it could have been so much worse. One hostage died a hero as he tried to wrestle the gun from the gunman, and the other died of a heart attack after the siege ended. If the shooter had automatic weapons, I doubt anyone would have made it out alive.

Such a sad and tragic event.

[fufaraw]

This is so frightening, and appalling. I'm sorry for the families of the dead and injured hostages, and grateful for the survivors.

The ride with you initiative is a wonderful, amazing thing. I'm so glad you were *not* there, but I'm so sorry that it happened at all.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

I'm horrified that it happened at all, but grateful that an event like this is such a rarity here. I've spent the last 24 hours thankful for our tight gun control laws as this could have been so much worse.

[pennydrdful.livejournal.com]

My thoughts are with you and you community, as well as the family members of those who died in this event. :(

It's so unfortunate that these types of low-tech, solo attacks appear to be occurring with greater frequency, as they are particularly difficult to prevent.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

I'm certain it's the fact that it was low tech weaponry that prevented this from being an even greater tragedy. If the gunman had automatic weapons it could very well have been an all out massacre. As a nation we are grieving those who lost their lives, but we are proud of our strict gun laws and also of the amazing unity that people are showing the Muslim community.

Solo attacks are impossible to prevent, mass slaughter not so much. I'm grateful for that.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Oh hon I have been hearing about this the past two days, how very awful!!! :( My thoughts and prayers are with you all. This person really sounds like a madman, really hope the hostages involved get through this unscathed.

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

The gunman and two of the hostages are dead. One hostage died trying to wrest control of the gun, and the other died of a heart attack. The gunman was a madman with a personal agenda. He was on bail for his part in his ex-wife's murder and multiple sexual assaults. He was also a religious fanatic. I'm deeply saddened by the deaths of the two hostages but I'm incredibly grateful so many escaped serious physical injury. I doubt that any of them will ever get over the emotional injuries. Luckily this was incredibly rare event in Australia. Unfortunately that's not the case in so many other countries.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update, goodness how awful. :(((( I am grateful though that most of them did escape without being seriously injured. You're right though that the emotional injuries will probably stay with them. My neighbor's son-in-law was killed on 9/11 and his sons were both very young at the time. It was heartbreaking witnessing their emotional pain, so I can only imagine what these hostages are going through, as well as the families of those who died.

*hugs* for you all

[blythechild.livejournal.com]

We went through something similar to this in Canada this fall. The nation had a hard time wrapping it's collective head around it because, although we often send soldiers to fight in other countries, terrorism is pretty unfamiliar to us in our own country. The good news was that Canadians didn't get fearful over it, and we didn't let it become an excuse to marginalize Muslims. A few deluded individuals DOES NOT make a community and I'm sure that your fellow Aussies will come to the same conclusion. Compassion, common sense, and a fierce refusal to be intimidated into a fearful response is the only way to combat this sort of militant bullying.

Be strong, be safe, blossom ♥

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I'm very late in posting a reply, but just wanted to say I was thinking of you when all this happened, it was so horrific and as you said, not something that happens often in Australia, thank God. I hope you're okay m'dear, it was upsetting watching on this side of the world, so being so close to it all must be even worse. **hugs**

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

It's sparked a lot of debate and more than a little outrage over here. The authorities have a lot of explaining to do as the man should not have been out on bail in the first place, and we found out that he had been issued with a gun licence which is something that is terribly hard to obtain here. I have a feeling many heads will roll, and although the circumstances are beyond tragic, maybe some loopholes will finally get fixed so that something like this can't happen again.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Something went very wrong with that man being given a gun license and bail. As you said hopefully it will prevent an atrocity like this happening again.