Sydney Siege
Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson were the two victims fatally shot during the Sydney Siege Monday. Reuters

A gunman fatally shot Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson during a 16-hour siege at a Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, Australia, on Monday. Both of the victims were from Sydney, the Guardian Australia wrote. Johnson, 34, managed the cafe and Dawson, a 38-year-old mother of three, was a lawyer.

Johnson’s parents, Ken and Rowena Johnson, released a statement to Channel 9 Australia news reporter Ben Fordham after his tragic death. “We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could have wished for,” they said, in a tweet posted by Fordham.

They also sent a message out to the other victim’s family. “We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson,” the statement said.

“We'd like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney, Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers,” Johson’s parents added. Then, they asked for their privacy and wished for “peace on earth.”

Johnson was reportedly shot after he tried to grab the gun from the shooter, Man Haron Monis, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Johnson, who ran the Lindt Chocolat Cafe for two years, died at the hospital.

New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn said it could take “many months” before the details of what occurred during the 16-hour siege are discovered, the SMH wrote.

Dawson graduated from Sydney University, Selbourne Chambers, ABC News Australia wrote. NSW Bar Association issued a statement after Dawson’s death. "Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar," the association said in a statement. "She was a devoted mother of three children and a valued member of her floor and of our bar community.” They sent their thoughts to her family.

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