Sixteen people, including a child, have now been confirmed dead after two gunmen, Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father Sajid Akram, opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach on Sunday evening in what authorities have confirmed was an antisemitic terrorist attack .
The shooting occurred during a Chanukah by the Sea event at Archer Park, adjacent to Bondi Beach, where hundreds of people had gathered to mark the start of the Jewish festival. Police say the attack was deliberate and targeted at the Jewish community .
At least 42 people were injured, several critically, and remain in hospital. NSW Police confirmed that one of the attackers was shot dead by officers at the scene, while a second suspect was taken into custody with life-threatening injuries .
Timeline of events
- 6.45pm (AEDT), Sunday 14 December
Shots were fired near Archer Park as the Hanukkah event was underway. Witnesses reported hearing sustained gunfire and seeing people flee in multiple directions, including towards the beach . - Shortly after 6.45pm
NSW Police and emergency services arrived within minutes. Officers engaged the gunmen, fatally shooting one attacker. Members of the public assisted injured victims while others sought shelter in nearby buildings and businesses. During the chaos, bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43yo fruit shop owner, intervened and helped disarm one of the shooters, an act police say prevented further loss of life. - 7.30pm–9.00pm
Police secured the area and declared a major incident. Nearby streets and Bondi Beach were closed as specialist units conducted searches amid concerns about further threats . - Early hours of Monday, 15 December
Authorities confirmed the attack was being treated as terrorism and revealed that explosive devices linked to the suspects had been located and rendered safe . - Monday morning
The death toll was revised to 16, including a child. Police said investigations were continuing and that there was no ongoing threat to the public .
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, describing it as an act of “evil antisemitism” and saying Australia stood with its Jewish community.
“This was a targeted act of terror against people gathered in peace to celebrate their faith,” Albanese said. “Hatred and violence have no place in Australia.”
A visibly shaken NSW Premier, Chris Minns said the attack had shocked the state and praised first responders and members of the public who assisted victims.
“What occurred at Bondi was horrifying. Our focus is on supporting families, bringing those responsible to justice, and ensuring communities feel safe,” Minns said .
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed the antisemitic motive was central to the investigation.
“The timing, location and nature of the event make it clear this was a targeted attack against the Jewish community,” she said, urging calm as investigations continued .
Victims and impact
Authorities have not yet released the names of all victims, pending family notifications. Those killed ranged in age from 10 to 87, and included community leaders and long-standing members of Sydney’s Jewish community. Victims include Eli Schlanger, 41, a rabbi and chaplain from the Chabad of Bondi, and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.
Jewish organisations across Australia said the attack had deeply traumatised communities already on edge amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years.
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council said it was “horrified”.
“We have warned for years that the unceasing antisemitic vitriol on our streets would evolve into antisemitic violence if left unchecked. We have warned that verbal abuse becomes graffiti, becomes arson, becomes physical violence, becomes murder,” executive director, Colin Rubenstein, said in a statement.
Police have increased patrols around synagogues, schools and community centres nationwide, with authorities warning that the investigation remains active. Federal and state agencies are working jointly to assess whether the attackers acted alone or were influenced by broader extremist networks .
Vigils are expected to be held in Sydney and other major cities later this week.