Sydney Blooms With Floral Bouquets Celebrating Heroism Of 2 Hostages Who Died Saving Other Lindt Customers

On Tuesday, Sydney was full of life and blooming with floral bouquets. It's a far cry from the previous day when the streets of the commercial business district were deserted due to the Sydney Siege at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe at Martin Place.

The siege, which ended in a bloody encounter on early Tuesday morning, produced the best and worst in people. Hostage-taker Man Haron Monis displayed the danger of extremist Islam lone wolf, while Lindt Café Manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson showed courage and willingness to give up their lives for the sake of the other hostages.

The two, in fact, were positively identified on Tuesday as dead from gunshot wounds inflicted by Monis.

Johnson, 34, wrestled the gun from Monis who fell asleep at around 2 am, reports the Telegraph, but Monis shot the café manager. While struggling for the weapon, six hostages managed to escape from the café. It was during this time that the police stormed Lindt and shot Monis.

Dawson, whose office is just across Lindt, died trying to protect pregnant co-worker Julie Taylor, whom she had a meeting at the café. She wasn't hit by a bullet but died of a heart attack while being rushed to the hospital.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher hailed the two at a prayer service in St Mary's Cathedral located very near Lindt. He said, "Apparently seeing an opportunity Tori Johnson grabbed the gun, tragically it went off killing him. But it triggered the response of the police and eventual freedom for most of the hostages. The heart of our city is broken by the deaths of two innocents."

The family of Johnson, who has been employed with Lindt since October 2012 and was in a long-term relationship with Thomas Zinn for 14 years, said in a statement, "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 ever wish for."

They also extended their condolences to the family of Dawson.

A former co-worker described Johnson as a selfless manager who placed the staff first and gave back the credit to the workers. Lindt Australia CEO Steve Loane said that the café will remain close on Tuesday and it offered counselling to its employees, particularly the café team.

Dawson, a mother of three young children, was a lawyer at Selbourne Chambers. She is a graduate of Sydney University and married Paul Smith, also a barrister, who is a partner at Mallesons.

The city of Sydney set up a memorial at the Lloyd Rees Fountain along Pitt Street, Martin Place, where residents and visitors are offering prayers and flowers for the two fallen but hero-hostages, including Muslims.

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