Tori Johnson, Shot Dead during Hostage Crisis trying to Subdued Killer
Tori Johnson, 34, was killed saving lives during the hostage crisis at a Sydney cafe on Monday.
Johnson, manager of the Lindt Chocolate Cafe, died when he tried to wrestle away the shotgun from attacker Man Haron Monis. “This action almost certainly saved many lives,” said Don Baxter of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations.
Johnson, son of acclaimed Australian artist Ken Johnson and his former wife Rowena. died later in the hospital.
He is survived by his partner of 14 years, Thomas Zinn, who is now with Johnson’s family.
“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” his parents said in a statement.
In recent years, Johnson worked in the U.S., Australia and the Maldives. He studied hospitality business management at Washington State University in 2002 and held a diploma of hotel management.
Also killed in the incident was Katrina Dawson, a 38-year-old lawyer and mother of three, who was believed to be shielding other patrons, including a pregnant woman from their attacker.
Monis, a radical Muslim cleric from Iran, seized 17 hostages at Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place yesterday morning. He was killed when police raided the cafe. Five hostages were injured, as well, as was a police officer, who suffered minor injuries from gunshot pellets to his face.
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