The family of slain cafe manager Tori Johnson have spoken out about the moment their world changed forever.
Mr Johnson’s aunt, Lyn Whittaker, has recalled the very second her family received the heartbreaking phone call telling them that the 34-year-old had been killed in the Sydney siege.
“The phone rang about 4:30 in the morning and it was Ken, my brother, and he said ‘they’ve killed my beautiful boy’ and he couldn’t speak anymore,” she told ABC News.
“The police officer came on and told my husband that Ken couldn’t speak any more and this is what has happened.
“Tori had copped a bullet from this terrorist and he had gone.”
Also killed in the volley of gunfire as police stormed the café, where 17 hostages were being held, was 38-year-old barrister and mother of three Katrina Dawson.
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The highly respected professional died while trying to defend her pregnant friend, Julie Taylor.
Ms Whittaker said authorities had told the Johnson family that her nephew was killed while trying to wrestle the gun out of the hostage-takers hands.
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“I don’t know if he tried to take over, to protect the other people, but we were told he had a lashing first,” she said.
“The gunman gave him a bit of a whacking, and then the bullet went off, he lunged at him and the bullet went off. I don’t know if he tried to take over, to protect the other people, but we were told he had a lashing first,” she said.
She then went on to describe Tori as ‘selfless person’ who was “everything you could wish for in a son and grandson.”
“A very, very, very brave boy, everything that people have said about Tori he was just the most caring, kind, gentle person,” she said.
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“He really was everything, he had all the qualities of just a beautiful soul.
“I just can’t believe the response from people … it’s been overwhelming.”
Two days after losing Tori, the Johnson family put on a united front and made an emotional visit to the sea of flowers in Martin Place, where thousands of Sydneysiders have been placing floral tributes, in honour of the victims and survivors.
“It’s a very moving moment … very moving,” Mr Johnson’s father reportedly said.
“Thank you everybody for supporting us.”
