The two hostages killed were highly respected barrister Katrina Dawson, 38, and Lindt cafe store manager Tori Johnson, 34. Hostages flee the Lindt cafe Credit:Andrew Meares Three women are in stable conditions after being shot, NSW Police said. A 75 year-old was shot in the shoulder, a 52-year-old woman was shot in the foot, and a 43-year-old woman was shot in the leg. Two pregnant woman, aged 30 and 35, were assessed at hospital and both are stable. A male police officer suffered a non life-threatening wound to his face from gunshot pellets.

The Prime Minister offers reassurance to Australians Siege gunman: Man Haron Monis, who died at the scene. Credit:Nick Ralston Prime Minister Tony Abbott addressed the media about 8.30am, offering the families of the victims his condolences. Mr Abbott said Monis was known to state and Commonwealth authorities for his history of violent crime and conviction for sending abusive letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in action. A woman is carried away from the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place. Credit:Andrew Meares

"As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult. Tragically, there are people in our community ready to engage in politically-motivated violence. "The events in Martin Place also show that we are ready to deal with these people professionally and with the full force of law." Freed hostages run from the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place. Credit:Andrew Meares Mr Abbott said Sydneysiders should be proud of their strength during a difficult day. "Australians should be reassured by the way our law enforcement and security agencies responded to this brush with terrorism," he said.

Katrina Dawson, killed in the Sydney siege. "There is nothing more Australian than dropping in at the local cafe for a morning coffee and it is tragic beyond words that people going about their business could have been caught up in such a horrific incident. "Our hearts go out to all of those caught up in this appalling incident and their loved ones. On behalf of all Australians I extend my sympathy to the families of the two hostages who died overnight. Tori Johnson was killed in the siege in Martin Place. "These events do demonstrate that even a country as free as open, as generous, and as safe as ours is vulnerable to acts of politically motivated violence.

"But they also remind us that Australia and Australians are resilient and we are ready to respond." How it ended Shortly before police entered the building, six hostages were seen running free from the cafe, 16 hours after they were first taken captive. Seconds later, another hostage was freed. Their release was followed seconds later by a dramatic police raid that was shown live on television. Footage showed a group of tactical officers storming into the cafe as gunshots rang out. Many flashes of light could be seen coming from inside the doorway.

A police officer could be seen shielding one hostage and running away from the cafe entrance. A short time later another hostage could be seen exiting the building. A police officer could be heard telling people to retreat for their own safety, as there was "live ammunition" being used. Sydney "shaken by a tragedy" NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said police made the decision to storm the cafe after gunshots were heard from inside the cafe. The Commissioner said this triggered officers to implement an emergency action plan. "Until we were involved in this emergency action, we believed that no-one had been injured. That changed. We changed our tack," he said in a press conference on Tuesday morning.

"These are the experts. What we don't do is compete with those who have to make that call. "They made call because they believed at that time if they didn't enter there would have been many more lives lost." NSW Premier Mike Baird said the city had been "shaken by a tragedy that none of us could have ever imagined" and called upon the people of NSW to "come together as never before". "Unbelievably overnight we have lost some of our own in an attack we never thought we would see here in our city," Mr Baird said. "The events that we have seen have shaken us, but they do not dampen our resolve."

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said she wanted to emphasise that Sydney is an inclusive city, and that won't change. "This is not who we are and we have to deal with this horrific, one off incident by a deranged individual and we have to move on," Ms Moore told the ABC on Tuesday morning. "We continue to be who we are and we will heal together. "It could have been any of us and that's a wake up call for all of us: life is precious." Injured in hospital

At least four hostages were injured. Royal North Shore Hospital confirmed they were treating a woman in her 40s for a gunshot wound to her leg. She was in a serious but stable condition. Another woman, who was also believed to be a hostage, was seen being wheeled into Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on a stretcher just after 3.30am. Six detectives also arrived at the hospital, while four ambulances were parked in the emergency department bays. The gunman had a history of crime

Monis, 50, is no stranger to the NSW police or the judiciary. He first came to attention of police when he penned poisonous letters to the family of dead Australian soldiers seven years ago. Last year he was charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife, a mother of two. Most recently, he was charged with more than 50 allegations of indecent and sexual assault relating to time allegedly spent as a self-proclaimed "spiritual healer" who dealt with black magic at a premises in western Sydney more than a decade ago. It is understood Monday's incident followed an unsuccessful, last-ditch attempt on Friday to have the case heard in the High Court.

Monis is not believed to have any formal links to any terror organisation. Families of those taken hostage were waiting for news outside St James' Supreme Court precinct when the siege came to a head. It had been an agonising 16-hour wait, since Monis first entered the cafe on Martin Place during Monday morning's peak. How it all began At 9.44am on Monday, a woman raised the alarm with police after seeing a man outside the cafe carrying a blue sports bag with a gun inside.

Channel Seven, which is located opposite the cafe and was broadcasting live at the time, showed footage of hostages with their arms in the air. Two of the hostages were forced to hold up their captor's flag - declaring "There is no god but Allah" - in the window. Police quickly evacuated the area, and workers across the city were sent home early. About 4.35pm on Monday, the first two hostages ran from the cafe's main doors – a mature man followed by a man in his 30s, who appeared to punch the air. Soon after, a third man, dressed in the cafe's uniform, emerged from a side door. Loading About 4.58pm on Monday, two women dashed from the cafe.

It was then mainly quiet until Tuesday morning's dramatic raid.