Sydney cafe hostage ‘made to kneel before being shot in the head’

A hostage killed during a siege at a Sydney cafe was made to kneel before being shot in the back of the head with a sawn-off pump action shotgun, an inquest heard on Thursday. Cafe manager Tori Johnson was killed by Iranian-born gunman Man Haron Monis, moments after several people managed to flee the coffee shop. Jeremy Gormly, one of the lawyers assisting the coroner, said: “Mr Johnson was made by Monis to kneel on the floor of the cafe. After a short lapse of time, Monis simply shot him without further notice or warning in the back of the head.”

The end of the barrel was about 75cm from his head at the moment of discharge. Mr Johnson is believed to have died immediately.

Counsel assisting the coroner’s inquest, Jeremy Gormly

It was the 34-year-old’s death which led tactical operatives to force their way into the Lindt cafe in the early hours of 16 December. The inquest also heard that another hostage who died, 38-year-old barrister Katrina Dawson, was struck by six fragments of a police bullet which ricocheted off the walls when officers stormed the building to end the 16-hour siege. Three other hostages were also injured by a ricochet off a police bullet.

sydneysiege Asia-Pacific