The 50-year-old father has been confirmed dead, while the 24-year-old son is in critical condition, police say. Dozens of victims are in hospital.
A Bondi resident, Yvonne Haber, shared her distress following the shooting, stating that the Jewish community she belongs to has been targeted. She expressed a sentiment that such an event was anticipated, as they had already resorted to having security guards at birthday parties, indicating a long-standing sense of vulnerability.
Australia is grappling with its deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years, where 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, died at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations. Footage confirms two gunmen, a father and son, fired from a bridge onto a park and beach. With 40 victims still hospitalized, the nation reflects on the tragedy, as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid his respects at the crime scene, laying flowers.
In response to the Bondi Beach attack, Jewish communities in London and other UK cities lit large chanukiahs on the first night of Hanukkah. Events in north west London saw increased police presence and support from the Community Security Trust. Despite the grief, attendees emphasized unity and resilience. Chanie Simon, who knew Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the victims, stated, 'We aren’t going to let terror stop us.' Other community members voiced their fear but stressed the importance of standing together to preserve Jewish life.
Vigils were held across Europe in cities like London, Paris, and Berlin, as people gathered to mourn the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, which authorities have classified as a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community. These gatherings took place on the first night of Hanukkah, with attendees lighting candles and displaying solidarity outside diplomatic missions, such as the Australia High Commission in London and the Australian embassy in Paris, and at landmarks like Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
Rabbi Mendel Kastel, chief executive of Jewish House Crisis Centre in Sydney, revealed he lost his brother-in-law in the Bondi Beach shooting. He is actively assisting the local Jewish community, many of whom are desperately searching for missing loved ones. The charity is collaborating with police to help locate individuals, especially those whose relatives overseas are unable to reach them, highlighting the profound uncertainty and anguish caused by the attack.
New South Wales Police confirmed that 15 people died in the shooting attack at Bondi Beach, including a 10-year-old girl. The older of the two gunmen, aged 50, was killed by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son sustained critical injuries and is currently hospitalized under police surveillance.
Twelve hours after the shooting, Bondi Beach remains cordoned off with a heavy police presence, transforming what would typically be a bustling Monday morning into a scene of lingering anxiety and shock. Onlookers have gathered near the restricted area, where squad cars patrol. The disruption reflects the profound impact of the tragedy on the community and the unusual calm of the usually vibrant neighborhood.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon credited lessons from a previous mass stabbing at a Bondi shopping centre with saving lives in the recent shooting, praising emergency workers. BBC Australia correspondent Katy Watson observed that the familiar phrase 'this sort of thing never happens in Australia' now feels outdated, given the increasing frequency of violent attacks. Australians are reportedly in shock, as are the authorities investigating the incident.
Following a news conference in Sydney with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other officials, key details about the Bondi Beach shooting have emerged. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns confirmed 15 fatalities, including a child, and one of the shooters. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon identified the gunmen as a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son. The elder gunman was a licensed firearms holder with six registered weapons, which were believed to be used in the attack. Two improvised explosive devices were found and disarmed. Two properties in western Sydney, Campsie and Bonnyrigg, were searched. Police have deployed 328 officers to support the Jewish community, and Albanese vowed to commit all necessary resources to respond to the attack and eradicate antisemitism in Australian society.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon addressed journalists' questions regarding the Bondi Beach attack, stating he wouldn't speculate on reports of a black Isis flag being found, but confirmed the older gunman had a gun licence for about ten years. Lanyon emphasized that the motives behind the attack would be thoroughly investigated, noting no prior indications suggested the men were planning the shooting. He also confirmed that two improvised explosive devices were found and safely disarmed near the scene.
Dr. Dominic Morgan, CEO of NSW Ambulance, reported that ambulance crews arrived at Bondi Beach within 10 minutes of the emergency. First responders transported 24 injured patients and confirmed 14 people deceased at the scene. Two additional victims later died in hospital, bringing the total number of people attended at NSW facilities to 42.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Lanyon announced that two search warrants were executed in Bonnyrigg and Campsie. He confirmed the 50-year-old deceased gunman was a licensed firearms holder with six registered firearms, believed to have been used in the Bondi Beach attack. Lanyon pledged a thorough investigation and stated that two police officers remain hospitalized, with a visible police presence maintained at places of worship.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon provided an update, confirming the investigation into the Bondi Beach shooting has advanced overnight. He stated that authorities are no longer searching for additional gunmen. Lanyon revealed that the two shooters involved were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son, with the father dying at the scene and the son remaining in critical condition in hospital.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the Bondi Beach attack as 'an act of pure evil' and 'an act of antisemitism' that 'deliberately targeted' the Jewish community, categorizing it as an act of terrorism. He pledged all necessary resources for the response and committed to eradicating antisemitism in Australia. Albanese also praised the courage of emergency responders and ordinary citizens who upheld Australian values during the incident.
At a Sydney press conference, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns confirmed that 15 innocent people were killed, along with one of the gunmen. He specified that the victims' ages ranged from 10 to 87 years old. Minns noted that 42 people are still hospitalized and urged the community to unite in support of those affected by this targeted attack on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach.
An update from Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Police is expected soon, promising to deliver the latest information on the ongoing situation. The public is encouraged to stay tuned for further developments, including watching a live broadcast available at the top of the page.
New South Wales Police have released details concerning the two gunmen involved in the incident. They confirmed that a 50-year-old man died at the scene after being shot by officers. The second shooter, a 24-year-old man, sustained critical injuries and is currently under police guard in hospital.
On Monday morning in Sydney, Bondi Beach remains cordoned off as investigators continue their work at the crime scene. The Australian flag at the Bondi Surf Pavilion is flying at half mast as a mark of respect, reflecting the solemn atmosphere and ongoing police operations in the area.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park lauded the first responders for their bravery during the Bondi Beach shooting, commending them for 'running into the face of danger' while others fled. He highlighted the extensive emergency operation, including police driving ambulances to ensure paramedics could prioritize patient care, underscoring the exceptional dedication and skill of the emergency services personnel.
New South Wales Police have confirmed that 16 individuals were killed in Sunday's shooting at Bondi Beach, with 40 people remaining in hospital. Further information is anticipated shortly. In response to the ongoing investigation, Bondi Beach and its surrounding roads will be closed today as authorities continue to process the crime scene.