Lindt siege: The chilling end to the Lindt siege

CRIME scene experts released this photograph showing the grim aftermath of the ­nation’s only terrorist siege.

This is the chilling first view inside the Lindt cafe showing the grim aftermath of the ­nation’s only terrorist siege.

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THIS is the chilling first view inside the Lindt cafe showing the grim aftermath of the ­nation’s only terrorist siege.

Using laser technology, crime scene experts took this photograph soon after police stormed the cafe at 2.13am on December 16, 2014, as the siege came to a tragic end.

The body of gunman Man Monis and blood on the floor had been blacked out before the photograph was yesterday released at the inquest.

When the photograph was taken, the terrorist lay on his back on the floor.

The police action was triggered by the execution of cafe manager Tori Johnson close to the second window from the left on the Martin Place side of the cafe, where his death was witnessed by police snipers who called in: “White window 2...hostage down.” Monis was out of the marksmen’s line of fire at the time.

Line of sight of the snipers during Lindt Cafe siege.

Westpac building sniper range into cafe.

Snipers would mark positions related to each window at the cafe.

The office inside the Westpac building used by one team of snipers.

Barrister Katrina Dawson died from her wounds after being hit by seven fragments of police bullets as she lay on the floor, beneath a chair behind where Monis was killed.

His arms were out at right angles to his body, his right leg straight and his left leg bent as blood pooled around him. His head pointed ­towards the main Phillip St entrance through which the first officers, with Alpha team, entered and fired 22 bullets.

As many as 13 or 14 bullets hit Monis as he was reloading his shotgun, the inquest has heard.

For 17 hours he held his hostages captive in this space. He took 18 hostages but after three escapes, there were six remaining at the end.

RBA Building sniper line of sight.

RBA building sniper’s range into cafe.

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By contrast, the police took just 33.4 seconds to burst in and kill the gunman after the “emergency action” call was made after Mr Johnson’s death.

Charlie team, which entered through the doors on to the foyer, took 21 of those seconds to travel six paces to the door, the inquest heard. They had been the closest team to the cafe.

Had they had moved quicker and not used as many flashbangs which impeded their passage, Ms Dawson may still be alive, counsel for her family Michael O’Connell SC, suggested yesterday as he questioned the Charlie team leader, codenamed Delta Alpha.The inquest continues.

Channel 7 building sniper view.

Channel 7 sniper range into cafe.

Sniper teams move into position as the siege unfolded.