Sydney witnessed one of its darkest days in decades after a deadly shooting targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 40 others. Australian police confirmed that the attackers were a father and his 24-year-old son, marking the country’s worst mass shooting since 1996.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening during “Chanukah by the Sea,” an event held to mark the beginning of the Hanukkah festival. Around 1,000 people were present near the iconic beach when gunfire erupted, triggering panic as families and children fled for safety.
Police identified the attackers as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police, and his son Naveed Akram, who was wounded and is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. Authorities said Sajid Akram ran a fruit shop and had held a licensed firearm for nearly a decade. His son, an Australian-born citizen, had reportedly lost his bricklaying job two months ago.
Investigators revealed that Naveed Akram had previously come under intelligence scrutiny for suspected links to extremist groups, though no imminent threat had been identified at the time. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as a “deliberate act of antisemitic terrorism” and a “dark moment for the nation.”
Eyewitness videos showed chaos on the beach, with people running as shots rang out. In a remarkable act of bravery, a bystander tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen. The man, later identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, has been widely hailed as a hero, with a fundraiser in his support raising thousands of dollars.
Among the victims was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an organiser of the event. World leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the attack, while Albanese vowed to take all necessary steps to combat antisemitism and ensure justice for the victims.
