Two hostages killed in a siege at a central Sydney cafe Tuesday were hailed as heroes "willing to lay down their lives so others might live" in a church service mourning their deaths.
Tori Johnson, the 34-year-old manager of the Lindt chocolate cafe where the crisis unfolded, and 38-year-old barrister and mother-of-three Katrina Dawson died as heavily-armed police ended the 16-hour stand-off.
At a prayer service in St. Mary's Cathedral about 500 metres from the cafe, Archbishop Anthony Fisher spoke of how the "heart of our city is broken by the deaths of two innocents".
Lindt Cafe manager, 34-year-old Tori Johnson, who was killed in the siege
"Reports have emerged this morning of the heroism of the male victim of this siege," Fisher 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.
"Reports have also emerged that Katrina Dawson was shielding her pregnant friend from gunfire. These heroes were willing to lay down their lives so others might live."
New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn did not confirm reports of Johnson's tussle with the gunman, adding that investigators were still compiling the chain of events that led to the siege ending.
Johnson's parents, in a statement shared via Sydney broadcast journalist Ben Fordham, praised their "beautiful boy" and called for everyone to "pray for peace on Earth".
"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," the statement said.
"We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson.
"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."
Dawson, a rising star in the legal fraternity, would be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends, the NSW Bar Association said.
"Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar," it said in a statement.
"She was a devoted mother of three children, and a valued member of her floor and of our bar community."
Teenager Jarrod Morton Hoffman delivered a number of messages from inside the siege in Martin Place to radio station 2GB, detailing the explosive anger of gunman Man Haron Monis after a number of hostages managed to escape.
“He says an eye for an eye; if someone else runs, someone dies” Jarrod said.
“I have had a shotgun put at my head and all (he) wants is (the demands met).
"We are all afraid, I don’t think you have ever had a shotgun placed at your head. Yes, we do need help, but that will only happen if demands are met. We have been treated very well."
“He’s coming now. Bye.” - and the call was abruptly ended.
One by one dignitaries joined thousands of mourners at a makeshift memorial near Sydney's Martin Place on Tuesday, honouring those who died at the Lindt cafe.
A cordoned-off area for the shrine was increasingly widened as the number of floral tributes keep increasing.
Long faces, glassy eyes, bowed heads and people with tightly crossed arms, almost hugging themselves, consoled each other near Martin Place.
"There are all sorts of people here today, - young people, old people, locals, workers, visitors, dignitaries - it is the one place they have gathered together to show symbolically how they feel about this atrocity that has occured in our beautiful city," said 7News Sydney reporter Anne Sanders.
"They are wearing their hearts on their sleeves and they just feel this is the only way they can express their sympathy for the loved ones and the victims of this terrible disaster."
Hundreds also left messages in condolence books set up on black trestle tables to the side of the shrine.
Set up by the premier's office shortly after Mr Baird's visit, the dozen notebooks carry the tear-stained messages of the public.
They will be bound into a NSW government condolence book.
"Innocent lives lost, family and others burned forever. Thoughts and prayers with you all" was one message.
"Rest in peace Katrina, love to Paul and your beautiful children. Rest in peace," was another.
A woman broke out into song in front of the shrine, urging the crowd to sing Amazing Grace with her.
"They didn't deserve to die, so sing it with me," she urged as other mourners joined in the wavering hymn.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione also visited Martin Place to see the tributes left to siege victims.
"It's incredibly sad, I've got to say I don't think I could be sadder," he said.
"Having said that, I'm completely proud of our police and what they have done to keep us safe, I've got nothing but praise for them."
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