A mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening has left 12 people dead, including one of the two gunmen, and 29 others injured, among them two police officers in critical condition.
Incident Overview
Time: Approximately 6:45pm AEDT
Location: Northern end of Bondi Beach, near Bondi Park playground
Event underway: A Jewish community gathering, “Chanukah by the Sea”, attended by thousands
Witnesses reported two gunmen dressed in black opening fire from a small footbridge into a crowd. The attack reportedly lasted around 10 minutes.
Police Response and Developments
One gunman was fatally shot
The second gunman is in police custody
A civilian disarmed one of the attackers, an act described by NSW Premier Chris Minns as heroic and life-saving
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) was found nearby and is being handled by bomb disposal units
Bondi Beach remains closed to the public
Casualties and Medical Response
12 fatalities confirmed
29 injured, including two police officers undergoing surgery
Patients transported to multiple Sydney hospitals, including St Vincent’s, Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, and Westmead
Suspect Information
One attacker identified as Naveed Akram, a Sydney resident from Bonnyrigg
ASIO confirmed one individual was previously known to authorities but not assessed as an immediate threat
Police are investigating whether others may have had related intent
Terrorism Declaration
NSW Police Commissioner declared the incident a terrorist attack at 9:36pm
Authorities confirmed it was a targeted attack on the Jewish community
Reactions
Australian Jewish leaders believe the event was deliberately targeted
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed condolences and urged stronger action against antisemitism in Australia.
