French Hero Granted Permanent Residency in Australia After Confronting Sydney Knife Attacker

Damien Guerot, a French construction worker hailed as a hero for confronting a knife-wielding attacker during a deadly rampage at a Sydney shopping mall, has been granted permanent residency in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese intervened to ensure that Guerot, whose temporary work visa was set to expire in July, can stay in the country indefinitely.

On Saturday, Guerot and his French colleague Silas Despreaux chased and threw objects at the attacker, Joel Cauchi, as he went on a stabbing spree at the Westfield Bondi Junction mall. Security camera footage showed Guerot, nicknamed 'Bollard Man,' standing at the top of an escalator and warding off Cauchi with a plastic barrier post. Their brave actions helped save lives before police officer Amy Scott fatally shot Cauchi, ending the rampage that left six people dead and a dozen wounded.

Albanese praised Guerot's heroism, stating, "Damien Guerot is welcome to stay in Australia as long as he likes. We would welcome him becoming an Australian citizen." The prime minister also endorsed the possibility of granting citizenship to Pakistani security guard Muhammad Taha, who was stabbed in the stomach when he confronted Cauchi.

Why this matters: The Sydney knife attack has shocked Australia, where mass killings are rare. Guerot and Despreaux's courageous actions in the face of danger have been widely praised, with their heroism serving as a beacon of hope amidst the tragedy. The Australian government's swift response in granting permanent residency to Guerot demonstrates the nation's gratitude and solidarity with those who risked their lives to protect others.

Guerot expressed mixed emotions about the situation, saying he could not be happy when many people and families were grieving the loss of the six victims killed by Cauchi. The only male killed in the attack was a mall security guard, Pakistani refugee Faraz Tahir. The deadly rampage was the first of two knife attacks by lone assailants over three days that have traumatized Sydney, with police conducting major investigations into the incidents.

Key Takeaways

• French construction worker Damien Guerot granted permanent residency in Australia
• Guerot confronted knife-wielding attacker during deadly rampage at Sydney mall
• PM Albanese praised Guerot's heroism, offered citizenship to Pakistani security guard
• Sydney knife attack shocked Australia, where mass killings are rare
• Guerot expressed mixed emotions, as 6 people were killed in the attack