Siege inquest: Manager shot execution-style

Hostage victim Katrina Dawson was killed by ricocheting fragments of a police bullet or bullets after officers stormed the Sydney Lindt cafe siege following the execution of Tori Johnson, an inquest has heard.

The opening day of the inquest into the deaths of barrister Ms Dawson and cafe manager Mr Johnson heard graphic details of the events that unfolded at the end of the Martin Place siege last month.

"Ms Dawson was struck by six fragments of a police bullet or bullets which ricocheted from hard surfaces into her body," counsel assisting the coroner Jeremy Gormly SC said.

Mr Gormly said Monis made Mr Johnson kneel on the floor of the cafe early on December 16.

"After a short lapse of time, Mr Monis simply shot him without further notice or warning in the back of the head," he said.

"The end of the barrel was about 75cm from Mr Johnson's head at the moment of discharge.

"Mr Johnson is believed to have died immediately.

"The shot was witnessed by a police marksman who called it in.

"That resulted in immediate order to force entry of the cafe."

Mr Gormly told the inquest Monis was killed as he was trying to reload his shotgun.

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