Fifteen people were killed and at least 27 remain in hospital following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday evening, in what authorities have described as a targeted antisemitic attack during a Hanukkah gathering.
The Bondi Beach shooting occurred shortly before 18:47 local time, as members of the Jewish community gathered for a public celebration. Police confirmed the two gunmen were father and son, later named in local media as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram.
The older attacker died at the scene, while his son remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Dozens injured, six in critical condition
New South Wales health authorities said 27 people are currently receiving treatment in hospitals across Sydney, down from an earlier figure of 40 who were taken for medical care.
As of Monday afternoon, at least six patients remain in critical condition, while others are described as critical but stable or stable.
“NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of those who died and were injured at Bondi Beach,” a spokesperson said.
Who were the victims?
Police say the 15 victims ranged in age from 10 to 87. Those publicly identified so far include:
British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, who helped organise the Hanukkah event and served as an assistant rabbi, according to the Chabad organisation that hosted the gathering.
Chabad members Reuven Morrison and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, a Jewish religious institution.
Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, who attended the event with his children and grandchildren.
French citizen Dan Elkayam, whose death was confirmed by French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
A 10-year-old girl identified by her family only as Matilda. A fundraiser set up in her memory described her as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her”.
Peter Meagher, a former police officer and local rugby club volunteer, who was working as a freelance photographer at the event.
Another victim was later named as Tibor Weitzen, a grandfather believed to be in his 70s and a member of the Bondi Chabad Synagogue, who reportedly died while trying to shield a family friend.
Gunmen reportedly linked to Islamic State
Australian broadcaster ABC reported that counter-terrorism police believe the attackers had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Sajid Akram arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998, later gaining residency. He held a firearms licence for recreational hunting and was a member of a gun club.
His son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, first came to authorities’ attention in 2019. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said an assessment at the time found no indication of an ongoing threat.
Investigators believe the pair prepared for the attack at a short-term rental property in Campsie, around 30 minutes from Bondi Beach. Police have also raided the family home as part of the investigation.
Hero bystander praised after tackling gunman
A bystander, 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, has been widely praised after confronting one of the attackers and wrestling a gun from him when it appeared to jam.
Video footage shows Ahmed running towards the gunman, seizing the weapon and forcing his retreat. His parents later confirmed he was shot four to five times in the shoulder and remains in hospital.
“He wasn’t thinking about who he was saving,” his father said. “He doesn’t discriminate between one citizen and another.”
Mourners gather as menorah is lit
Hundreds of people gathered at Bondi Beach on Monday evening to mark the time of the attack, laying flowers, candles and handwritten messages near the Bondi Pavilion.
Jewish and Australian flags were displayed, while members of the Jewish community lit a menorah among the bouquets, announcing they would continue lighting candles throughout Hanukkah in memory of the victims.
“We invite people to take the light, to spread peace and tolerance,” one speaker said. “We have survived for thousands of years… light will always prevail.”
Political response and calls for change
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a national cabinet meeting in response to what he described as “an act of terror and antisemitism”.
“We stand with Jewish Australians and we stand against hatred and violence,” he wrote on X, adding that Australia would “come through this together”.
Albanese said he would push for tougher gun laws, despite Australia’s already strict firearms regulations.
Local MP Allegra Spender described the attack as “a wake-up call to Australia”, saying members of the Jewish community were fearful in the aftermath.
“A society where people are scared to be visibly Jewish is a society that is failing,” she said.
City rallies to help victims
Sydney residents responded to an urgent call for blood donations, overwhelming the Lifeblood website and forcing authorities to ask people to attend blood banks in person.
In central Sydney, queues stretched for more than six hours, with donors saying they wanted to show solidarity with the victims and the Jewish community.
“Australia has your back,” one donor said.
Police investigations into the Bondi Beach shooting are ongoing.
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