Sixteen people are now confirmed dead after a shooting at a Jewish celebration near Sydney Bondi Beach, with police identifying the two alleged gunmen as a father and son. Authorities described the attack as a targeted antisemitic assault and the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in almost three decades.
Police said the father, a 50 year old man, was shot and killed at the scene on Sunday night, bringing the total death toll to 16. His 24 year old son remains in critical condition in hospital. Forty other people were injured, including two police officers who are listed as serious but stable, according to New South Wales Police.
The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, underscoring the scale of the violence at what had been a community celebration marking Hanukkah.
The shooting occurred during a Jewish event attended by about 1,000 people in a small park just off Bondi Beach, one of Australia most popular and recognizable coastal areas. Witnesses said the area was packed on a warm evening when gunfire erupted.
Several bystanders told police the attack lasted about ten minutes, triggering panic as hundreds fled across the sand and into nearby streets. Video from the scene appeared to show two weapons, believed to be a bolt action rifle and a shotgun, though police have not formally confirmed the firearms used.
Authorities said they are confident only two attackers were involved, after earlier checking whether a third suspect may have been present.
A bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the attackers during the chaos has been widely praised by officials and community leaders. Australian broadcaster Channel Seven identified the man as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43 year old fruit shop owner.
According to a relative cited by the network, al Ahmed was shot twice and later underwent surgery. A fundraising page set up to support him raised more than 200,000 Australian dollars by Monday morning, reflecting an outpouring of public support.
Police said his intervention likely prevented further loss of life.
On Monday, Bondi Beach was unusually quiet as residents gathered to mourn. Local resident Morgan Gabriel, 27, said she initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks before people began running toward her street.
She told reporters she sheltered six or seven people in her home, including close friends who had fled the beach without their phones. “Normally on a Monday morning it is packed with swimmers and runners,” she said. “Today it is very quiet. There is a solemn vibe.”
Police cordoned off the scene while investigators continued to gather evidence. Officers also raided the suspects home in Bonnyrigg, about 36 kilometers west of Sydney central business district, where a heavy police presence remained on Monday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Bondi Beach on Monday morning, laying flowers near the site of the attack. Mourners wearing kippah were seen placing candles, flowers, and Australian and Israeli flags along the promenade.
Albanese described the shooting as a national tragedy and a direct attack on Australia values. “What we saw was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, and an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location,” he said.
He added that security agencies are examining the motive and any possible links to extremist ideology. “The Jewish community is hurting today,” Albanese said. “All Australians stand with them. We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.”
Africa Digital News, New York
