The parents of Courtney Topic have released one of their favourite photos of their daughter two days after she was shot dead by police outside a western Sydney Hungry Jack's.
Ms Topic, 22, who had Asperger's syndrome, was killed by police after she was seen waving a kitchen knife in the car park of the fast-food outlet on Tuesday morning.
On Thursday, her father said the death of his daughter had left the family "raw" and "struggling to cope".
The close-knit family were concentrating on organising her funeral but thanked all who had been in touch and offered support
"The Topic family would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support. We ask that you could respect our privacy during this tragic time," the family said in a statement issued by NSW Police on Thursday afternoon.
As the family tried to remember happier times, Ms Topic's former principal at Freeman Catholic College said his thoughts and prayers were with the family.
Raymond Wooby said his deepest sympathies went out to all who knew Ms Topic after "the most tragic set of circumstances".
"Our deepest prayers and sympathies have been extended to the family concerned," Mr Wooby said.
"Their ongoing support and care will be our highest priority and we will continue to monitor the wellbeing of all students and staff in this difficult time," he said.
He said Catholic Care counsellors were available to any student or staff member who had been affected by Ms Topic's death.
Police said Ms Topic was shot once after officers at the scene used capsicum spray and attempted to use a Taser.
Fairfax Media has been told the constable who fired the fatal shot is devastated and being comforted by colleagues.
A police source said Ms Topic had been threatening self-harm and attempting to run on to the busy intersection at Hoxton Park in the minutes before her death.
When she ran towards the road, the officer tried to stop her with capsicum spray.
But she continued to lunge towards him and, because he had nowhere to go with the traffic behind him, he was forced to shoot her, the source said.
Staff at Hungry Jack's called triple zero after they saw her walking around the car park of the restaurant sipping on a soft drink and holding a 20-centimetre knife in her other hand.
Lifeline 13 11 14, MensLine 1300 789 978, Beyondblue 1300 224 636
