Student speaks out after being falsely accused as Bondi Junction killer

by CHRISTINE LAI

A university student has reported receiving “thousands” of messages and friend requests after being falsely identified online as the Westfield Bondi Junction attacker.

20-year-old UTS student Ben Cohen was falsely linked to the Bondi Junction tragedy and victim to a distressing case of mistaken identity where he was accused of murdering six people at Bondi Junction’s Westfield shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

Cohen’s name surfaced as the perpetrator on social media platforms, where online trolls circulated his photos across various social media platforms.

The name “Benjamin Cohen” started trending on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday night, with more than 70,000 posts referencing his name.

Channel 7 Misidentifies Bondi Junction Attacker

Channel 7 aired the misinformation on its YouTube channel in a promotional segment for Sunrise. The network referred to him as “40-year-old lone-wolf attacker Benjamin Cohen.”

While the video was removed from YouTube, it swiftly circulated on Twitter, prompting calls for 7NEWS to take responsibility for the error.

Ben Cohen’s father, Mark Cohen urged NSW Police to disclose the true identity of the perpetrator. Cohen posted on X at 7:10am on Sunday morning:

Hey @nswpolice you need to release the name of the Bondi junction attacker before this nonsense claiming it was my son causes more harm.

— Mark Cohen (@markc) April 13, 2024

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley confirmed on Sunday morning that the assailant, who was fatally shot, is 40-year-old Queensland resident Joel Cauchi.

Frustration Over Misinformation

Mark Cohen expressed concern over the case of mistaken identity, revealing that the parents spent Sunday morning seeking advice from the police, feeling deeply unsettled by the situation.

“They don’t realise how much harm they can do. I have worked in tech my whole life; my wife is a teacher. We are just a very normal family.”

“Everyone’s asking what’s going on, people asking if it’s true. Of course it’s not true, he’s not even a politically motivated person. He’s just a normal kid who now has got to deal with this,” he said.

The 20-year-old computer science student also expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s extremely disappointing to see thousands of people mindlessly propagating misinformation without even the slightest thought put to fact-checking or real life consequences,” to Guardian Australia.

Call for Media Responsibility

City Hub spoke with Tzedek Collective, an intergenerational, anti-colonial Jewish community regarding the damaging false identification of Ben Cohen, a Jewish man.

The collective asserted that false accusations against the perpetrator connecting him to Jewish or Muslim terrorism stemmed from underlying biases of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Tzedek Collective denounced the swift dissemination of misinformation, highlighting that while a Jewish man was falsely accused and doxed on social media, Channel 7 was the only legacy media outlet to perpetuate the incorrect news.

“While TV stations ranging from Sky News to the ABC did not hesitate to broadcast strong suggestions that this was an Islamist terrorist attack. In doing so, these outlets stoked fear in the public and fomented unrest”, a representative said.

“Other bad faith actors linked the event to the Palestine solidarity movement. The circulation of both Islamophobia and antisemitism are expedient to the political goals of Zionism and we urge all to refrain from engaging in these prejudices”, they said.

Tzedek collective emphasised it was crucial for both social media users and traditional news organisations to avoid speculation during times of crisis and emergency.

“Misinformation thrives in these moments. Developing strong media literacy is important. We expect journalists to adhere to journalistic principles and wait until information is verified before circulating it. Biased and racist reporting has a lived and lasting impact”, they said.

Response and Community Support

Following the attack, “”Waverley Council have published a memo about the Bondi Junction Westfield centre and its surrounding areas.

The centre remains closed until further notice and police have barricaded the area surrounding the shopping centre. Bus stops between the two Westfield towers also remain closed.

The public is invited to express their condolences by signing an online condolence book at www.nsw.gov.au/bondicondolences. Floral tributes can be left at Oxford Street Mall, Bondi Junction (Bronte Road-end), and a table will be available for physical condolence book signings.

Mayor of Waverley Paula Masselos expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of Saturday’s tragic attacks at Bondi Junction. She emphasised that it would take time for the community to process the events that had unfolded.

“Being the first day of the NSW school holidays, this shopping centre was packed with families and to have innocent people caught up in such violence is absolutely unfathomable… I hope that those injured make a full recovery”, she said in a statement.

Tzedek Collective shared their condolences to the victims and families of the Bondi Junction massacre.

“Our hearts are with those who lost loved ones, families and friends. We mourn the victims whose lives were brutally taken and acknowledge that the event has an impact for many. To the people reeling in the aftermath of this violent event: we hold you in our hearts in grief and solidarity”, they said in a statement to City Hub.

A helpline specifically for those affected by the Bondi Junction incident has been set up. Individuals can reach out by calling 1800 019 123 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Community members seeking support can also contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636.