A Sydney cafe that was the scene of a siege three months ago reopened on Friday with plaques honoring two victims killed during the 16-hour standoff, which prompted tighter Australian immigration controls and a review of anti-terror laws.
The Lindt Chocolate Cafe opened its doors again with commemorative plaques for cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38, prominently displayed. Both were killed in the final minutes of the Dec. 15-16 siege.
Johnson was ordered to kneel by gunman Man Haron Monis and then shot in the back of the head. His execution prompted police to storm the cafe and investigations have since shown that Dawson was killed by a ricochet from at least one police bullet.
Monis, a self-styled sheikh with grievances against the Australian government and who claimed allegiance with the Islamic State group, was killed by police. Dozens of Sydney residents gathered before the cafe opened, some clutching flowers in scenes reminiscent of the days after the siege when thousands of mourners left floral tributes in Martin Place in the center of the city's main business district.
"I really believe that bringing some flowers and having a look of the memorial and paying homage to the two people that died is a very worthwhile thing to do," resident Alan Sexton told reporters.
Four people were wounded in the siege, including a policeman hit in the face with shotgun pellets and a 75-year-old woman who was shot in the shoulder.