Martin Place Hostage Situation (4 Viewers)

[BLIT2014]

Interesting. My question is, why not?




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His probable intention was he just wanted publicity... He didn't plan to kill anyone, and didn't care if he got sent to jail or anything..

 

[BLIT2014]

21.19 As they often do after global terror incidents, the New York Police Department is going to hold a press conference in about an hour to discuss what implications (if any) the Sydney siege has on New York's policing posture.

21.15 The government of New South Wales offers this advice to parents trying to figure out how to talk to their children about the Syndey siege:
OpinionIn particular, children absorb the tension, uncertainty, confusion and fear around them following traumatic events. Try to create a sense of calm. Reassure children that they are safe and that there is someone there to take care of them.

 

[BLIT2014]

Chris Urquhart @chrisurquhart · 3m 3 minutes ago
Media have been allowed by police closer to the Lindt cafe but a perimeter remains in place for most of the upper section of Martin Place.

 

[BLIT2014]

Nine News Australia @9NewsAUS · 4 mins 4 minutes ago
PM @TonyAbbottMHR set to address media shortly. LIVE Stream: http://www.9news.com.au/ #SydneySiege #9News

 

[futuremidwife]

Why try to escape?

They knew who he was and the site was surrounded by police.

Don't read into speculation.

Least he could do was try. No one causes a nuisance like that, and surrenders right then and there.




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[BLIT2014]

[–]digitalterrorist 2 points 43 minutes ago
There is a report that one of the hostages died of cardiac arrest. No idea if due to wounding or due to fear.


Validity questionable from reddit

 

[tywebb]

PM holding press conference now

 

[BLIT2014]

Trends · Change
#sydneysiege
#illridewithyou
#PrayForSydney
Sony
Lindt
Santa
#BlackMessiah
Islamic
D'Angelo


Twitter trends

 

[BLIT2014]

City of Sydney @cityofsydney · 7m 7 minutes ago
Dear Sydneysiders, we’ve set up a memorial at the Lloyd Rees Fountain on Pitt St at #MartinPlace for you to lay flowers for those we lost.

 

[BLIT2014]

Marky Santos ‏@santomarky 22s22 seconds ago
BuzzFeedOz: Prime Minister Abbott has now linked the gunman to his association of “the ISIS death cult” #SydneySiege ...

 

[BLIT2014]

@HowardKurtz Canadian Muslim TV commentator blasts Liberal Media response to #sydneysiege http://bit.ly/1yTh2OE

 

[BLIT2014]

8:34am:

Live: Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has just emerged from a meeting of cabinet's National Security Committee and is delivering a statement to the press at Parliament House in Canberra, reports Bevan Shields.

"Early this morning the Martin Place siege ended with the death of the lone gunman and, tragically, the loss of two hostages, innocent Australians caught up in the horror of yesterday," Mr Abbott said.

"Five other people, four hostages and a NSW police officer, have been injured.

"State and Commonwealth agencies are investigating. Understandably, there is lot of speculation but it will take time to clarify exactly what happened in Martin Place and why. What we do know is that the perpetrator was well known to State and Commonwealth authorities. He had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability.

"We know that he sent offensive letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and was found guilty of offences related to this. We also know that he posted graphic extremist material online."

"As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult. Tragically, there are people in our community ready to engage in politically motivated violence."

Mr Abbott was due to fly back to Sydney yesterday but cancelled the flight to remain in Canberra to monitor the situation.

Mr Abbott will not take questions during this press conference.

 

[BLIT2014]

Triple M Brisbane ‏@TripleMBrisbane 26s26 seconds ago
The 38 yo woman killed in #sydneysiege has been identified as Sydney mother of 2, Katrina Dawson. #RIP #mmmbrisnews

 

[tywebb]

Mr Abbott was due to fly back to Sydney yesterday but cancelled the flight to remain in Canberra to monitor the situation.

Mr Abbott will not take questions during this press conference.

Yes. But he IS now going to Sydney, will have another press conference there and will take questions at that one this afternoon.

 

[BLIT2014]

8:46am: Flags are flying at half mast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

 

[Trebla]

I'm going to lay some flowers at one of the makeshift memorials on the way to work today.

This tragedy has hit too close to home.

 

[BLIT2014]

702 ABC Sydney retweeted
Mike Baird @mikebairdMP · 35m 35 minutes ago
Flags will fly at half-mast today on NSW Government buildings to honour those who tragically lost their lives in the siege at Lindt cafe.

 

[BLIT2014]

9:00am: In the aftermath of the Martin Place siege, there will be some disruption to a number of courts in the CBD.

The Supreme Court in the Law Courts Building at Queens Square, the King Street courts and the Land and Environment Court are closed until midday, reports Louise Hall.

The Supreme Court at Darlinghurst, the Downing Centre courts and Central Local Court are operating as usual.

Victims and their families can contact the Victims Support Scheme hotline on 1800 633 063 or 8688 5511 for free counselling and financial support.


Post on hostage's Facebook page: 'He is going to kill us'

Siege survivor Marcia Mikhael was inundated with messages of support from both friends and strangers after being carried from the Lindt Chocolat Cafe with what appeared to be leg injuries, reports Rachel Browne.

Ms Mikhael, a 43-year-old mother of three from Glenwood in Sydney's north west, is a project manager at the Westpac building opposite the cafe at Martin Place.

She was one of 17 people taken hostage.

A number of posts appeared on her Facebook page on Monday describing the situation in the cafe.

"Dear friends and family," one message said.

"I'm at the Lindt Café at Martin Place being held hostage by a member of the ISI. The man who is keeping us hostage has asked for small and simple requests and none have been met.

"He is now threatening to start killing us. We need help right now. The man wants the world to know that Australia is under attack by the Islamic State."

 

[BLIT2014]

ABC staff turning up to work at Parliament House this morning have seen security exercises going on in the main entrance, known as the Marble foyer, with police officers crash-tackling each other. All over now, in time for the public opening time.



8:51 AMTwitter
Live Traffic Sydney
@LiveTrafficSyd
SYDNEY: 1 of 5 s/b lanes is closed on the #SydneyHarbourBridge due to a 2 car accident. Moderate delays, exercise caution.
Retweeted By Nswpolice

 

[BLIT2014]

Flags on all NSW Government buildings will fly at half-mast today to honour those who lost their lives in the siege at the Lindt café in Sydney’s CBD, NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced.

The Premier is also inviting people who wish to lay a floral tribute to the victims to do so at Martin Place. Condolence books will also be provided later today near the Martin Place water fountain, facing Pitt Street.

Today the people of NSW and Australia have the heaviest of hearts and we are taking steps to allow the community to share our collective grief,.