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Like all other Australians, Katrina Dawson was going about her usual Monday routine of grabbing a quick coffee ahead of a busy morning in the office when she got caught up in an unimaginable act of terror.
The 38-year-old barrister and – heartbreakingly – mother of three has been identified as one of the two hostages killed in the horrific Lindt cafe siege in Sydney’s Martin Place.
After 17 long and terrifying hours, the tense ordeal ended in the early hours of Tuesday morning with a volley of gunfire as heavily armed police stormed the chocolate cafe, where 17 hostages, including Ms Dawson, were being held captive by self-described Muslim cleric Man Haron Monis.
While four innocent people were injured during the dramatic standoff, including a police officer, the highly respected professional, who worked at Eight Selborne Chambers in the CBD was tragically killed trying to defend her pregnant friend, AAP reports.
NSW Premiere Mike Baird lays flowers in Martin Place today “I’m deeply moved by the spontaneous overflow of support for the Lindt cafe siege victims and survivors from the people of Sydney. This is who we are,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Ms Dawson was the younger sister of well-known defamation barrister Sandy Dawson. She leaves behind her husband, two daughters and son, all of whom are under the age of 10.
The New South Wales Bar Association has since released a statement about the popular Sydney lawyer.
“Katrina was one of our best and brightest who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar,” it read.
“She was a devoted mother of three children, and a valued member of her floor and of our bar community.”
The second victim has also been identified as Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, who is being praised a hero.
The 34-year-old reportedly decided to take action and wrestle the weapon from the 50-year-old lone gunman, allowing the other hostages to escape.
Woman’s Day understands two pregnant women were also taken to hospital to be assessed following their release.
It has since been revealed the hostage-taker, who was shot dead by police, was on bail on a range of charges including being an accessory to murder and sexual assault.
