Bondi Beach Shooting Highlights: Father and son behind mass shooting that killed 15 people

Police said the shooter Sajid Akram was a licensed firearm owner and a member of a gun club, indicating he was likely involved in target shooting, according to AP.

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon on Monday morning said that there was no third suspect in the case.

“ I can say that we are not looking for a further offender. We are satisfied there were two offenders involved in yesterday's incident,” Lanyon said.

"One is deceased. The second is in critical but stable condition in hospital at the moment," he added.

Like many Sydneysiders, Glenn Nelson spent his Sunday evening watching television coverage of a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach. When he stepped onto his front porch, framed by neatly trimmed box hedges, he saw armed police sealing off the street and raiding the house across from his own, the home of the two suspects accused of killing 15 people in Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades, according to Reuters.

“I thought, ‘I’ll catch the rest in the morning,’ and then suddenly the drama unfolded right outside my door,” he said in an interview on Monday, shortly after mowing his lawn, the report noted.

Nelson and other neighbours described the family living across the street as private but seemingly ordinary, living in Bonnyrigg, a well-kept, working-class suburb about 36 km (22 miles) from Sydney’s central business district, known for its ethnically diverse community.

Following the terrorist attack targeting Jews at a Hanukkah event on Sunday at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Israel’s National Security Council issued updated safety advisories for Israelis travelling overseas, as per ANI.

The guidelines urge travellers to avoid large gatherings that lack adequate security, including events at synagogues, Chabad houses and Hanukkah celebrations. Israelis are also advised to remain alert around Jewish and Israeli sites and to immediately notify local security authorities if they notice any suspicious individuals or objects.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday honoured the victims of several fatal attacks in the United States and overseas, including a shooting on the Brown University campus and a deadly antisemitic terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, while speaking at a Christmas reception.

"I want just to pay my respects to the people. Unfortunately, two are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. And two are looking down on us right now from heaven," Trump said. Referring to the attack in Australia, he added, "Likewise, in Australia, as you know, that was a terrible attack. Eleven dead, 29 badly wounded. And that was an anti-Semitic attack, obviously. And it's -- I just want to pay my respects to everybody."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said tougher gun laws would be taken up at a National Cabinet meeting, indicating a possible tightening of Australia's already strict firearms rules after the deadly antisemitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, reported ANI.

Speaking to the media ahead of the meeting scheduled for 4:00 pm local time, Albanese said stricter gun controls, including limits on the number of firearms licensed to individuals and periodic reviews of licences, would be placed on the agenda.

"This afternoon, at four o'clock, I will put on the agenda of the national cabinet tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals, a review of licences over a period of time," he said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong following the deadly terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, which left more than 15 people dead during a gathering to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Just spoke to Australian Foreign Minister @SenatorWong. Conveyed our deepest condolences about the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and offered our fullest support."

Police say the attackers fired into the crowds, killing 15 people aged from 10 to 87.

The youngest victim, a 10-year-old girl, died later in a children's hospital.

Forty-two people were hospitalised overnight, including five in a critical condition. Among them are two police officers wounded in a shootout with the gunmen, AFP reported.

The United States "strongly condemns the terrorist attack" that left over a dozen people dead at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday.

"Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia," Rubio said in a post on X.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday proposed tougher national gun laws after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach, leaving at least 15 people dead.

Albanese said he would propose new restrictions, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain. His proposed measures were announced after the authorities revealed that the older of the two gunmen — who were a father and son — had amassed his six guns legally. (AP)

The United States "strongly condemns the terrorist attack" that left over a dozen people dead at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday.

"Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia," Rubio said in a post on X.

Police say the attackers fired into the crowds, killing 15 people aged from 10 to 87.

The youngest victim, a 10-year-old girl, died later in a children's hospital.

Forty-two people were hospitalised overnight, including five in a critical condition. Among them are two police officers wounded in a shootout with the gunmen, AFP reported.

A bystander seen in a widely circulated video disarming a gunman during a deadly shooting rampage at a popular Australian beach is being heralded as a hero who saved lives.

Video footage posted to social media shows a passerby dressed in a white T-shirt and dark pants crouching behind a parked car before sneaking up behind a gunman, grabbing him and wrestling away his firearm. The bystander then points the weapon at the gunman, who falls to the ground. (AP)

At around 6:47 p.m., as the sun began to fade on a warm Sunday afternoon at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, the first gunshots rang out.

After a moment of confusion, panicked beach goers began to sprint across the sand, unsure where exactly the shots were coming from. Soon two gunmen were spotted in a parking lot close to a grassy area just off the beach, where more than 1,000 members of the Jewish community in Australia had gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. (Bloomberg reported)

Two alleged gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish celebration in Sydney's Bondi Beach were a father and son, police said on Monday, as Australia mourned victims of its worst gun violence in almost 30 years. (Reuters)

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon on Monday morning said that there was no third suspect in the case.

“ I can say that we are not looking for a further offender. We are satisfied there were two offenders involved in yesterday's incident,” Lanyon said.

"One is deceased. The second is in critical but stable condition in hospital at the moment," he added.

“We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out anti-Semitism. It is a scourge and we'll eradicate it together,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said that he had warned Australia earlier about rising anti-Semitism.

Asked about it, Albanese declined to comment saying now was time for national unity.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday (local time) that the ages of the deceased ranged from 10 to 87 years old, and that 42 people had been received treatment in hospitals overnight in connection with the incident.

The two gunmen who killed 16 people in Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday are suspected to be father and son, reported ABC citing law enforcement officials.

One of the two suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, remains in hospital under guard while his 50-year-old father was shot dead in the exchange of gunfire with the police.

Authorities in an update on early Monday said that the death toll in the mass shooting had risen to 16, including a 10-year-old girl, as per ABC.

The death toll included one deceased shooter and 15 innocent people.

The number of injured was also revised upwards to 40.

"That was a terrible attack, 11 dead, 29 badly wounded. And that was an antisemitic attack, obviously," Trump said during a Christmas celebration at the White House, as reported by AFP.

CNN also reported that the US President had heaped praise on the civilian who was seen disarming one of the gunmen, saying he had “great respect” for the man and describing him as "a very, very brave person".

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that took place in the Australian city of Sydney, which resulted in a number of victims and injuries,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the state of Palestine said on Sunday.

“The Ministry affirms the full solidarity of the State of Palestine and its standing alongside friendly Australia, government and people alike, in this painful affliction, renewing its categorical rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism, which contradict human values and ethical principles, and the teachings of all heavenly religions that call for peace, respect for human life, and the renunciation of hatred and extremism,” the ministry added.

Israel is sending a team of volunteers to support Australian authorities and the Jewish community.

Volunteers from ZAKA, Israel’s volunteer emergency response and disaster victim recovery organisation, is sending a dozen people to Sydney, ABC reported.

"We bring deep experience from terror scenes, working hand-in-hand with law enforcement to preserve critical forensic evidence, while also ensuring the dead are treated with the utmost dignity and can be buried as quickly as possible in accordance with Jewish law," ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Sunday's deadly shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney, saying he had previously warned his Australian counterpart that the country's support for Palestinian statehood would fuel antisemitism.

He added that in August he had told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a letter that the Australian government's policies were encouraging antisemitism in the country, Reuters reported.

"I wrote: 'Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets'," Netanyahu said in a speech.

In his speech, Netanyahu accused Albanese's government of "doing nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia".

"You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today," he added.

Britain's King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were "appalled and saddened" by the shooting targeting Jewish people at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, which claimed the lives of at least 12 people and left nearly 30 others injured.

"My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach," Charles said in a statement posted on X.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy,” he noted in the X post.

One Israeli citizen was among those killed after gunmen opened fire on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, the Israeli foreign ministry said.

The attack left 12 people dead and around 30 people were injured. Australian authorities has described it as a ‘terrorist’ incident.

(Mint couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the video)

As per Reuters, Israeli PM Netanyahu stated the shooting was "cold blooded murder" and that antisemitism "spreads when leaders stay silent."

"You must replace weakness with action," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday described the deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach as “cold-blooded murder,” Reuters reported.

He also condemned the attack as it targeted people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the terrorist incident at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during the Hanukkah festival event. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi extended condolences and asserted that India has zero tolerance towards terrorism.

“Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah," PM Modi wrote in a tweet.

“On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism,” he added.

After Naveed Akram was identified as the gunman behind the fatal shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the Australian authorities said that they are raiding Akram's home in the suburb of Bonnyrigg on Sunday evening.

Two gunmen armed with automatic rifles shot dead at least 12 people at Bondi Beach on Sunday, police said. While, one of the gunmen was fatally shot by police, the second person was arrested.

One of the two gunmen behind the deadly Sydney’s Bondi Beach shooting, has been identified as Naveed Akram.

Akram, a man from the city's south-west region, was believed to have carried out an attack at the Australian iconic beach, packed with visitors on a busy weekend, ABC Australia reported.

A bystander who tackled and disarmed an armed man during an attack that left 12 people dead at a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday has been praised as a hero, as per Reuters.

Viral video shared on social media shows a man in a white shirt running toward an armed individual in a dark shirt in a car park. He tackles the attacker from behind, takes control of the rifle, and points it back at him. The footage shows the armed man losing his balance and retreating toward a bridge where another shooter was present, while the bystander places the rifle on the ground.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to X and said, “The news that the Bondi beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday said he was left "speechless" by the mass shooting during a Jewish event at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

"This is an attack on our shared values. We must put a stop to this antisemitism -- here in Germany and worldwide," Merz said in a post on X.

Israel PM Netanyahu said Australia 'poured oil on fire of antisemitism' prior to Sydney attack.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen mentioned she was "shocked" at the shooting, which the bloc's top diplomat condemned as an “appalling act of violence”, as per AFP.

"Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred," von der Leyen, the European Commission President, wrote on X.

"This appalling act of violence against the Jewish community must be unequivocally condemned," added EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar mentioned he was shocked by the shooting and that Australia's government must "come to its senses" after numerous warnings, as per Reuters.

“These are the results of the antisemitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the antisemitic and inciting calls of 'Globalise the Intifada' that were realised today,” Saar said.

Witnesses shared the shooting at the iconic beach on a hot summer's evening lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks. Police mentioned nearly 1,000 people had taken part in the Hanukkah event alone, according to Reuters.

As per AFP, PM Albanese hailed the "heroes" who stepped in to help, stating, "We have seen Australians today run towards dangers in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives."

"We heard the shots. It was shocking, it felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang. It seemed like a powerful weapon," Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, informed AFP at the scene.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the shooting as a "cruel attack on Jews" and urged the Australian authorities to step up the fight against antisemitism, according to AFP.

PM Modi expressed condolences over loss of lives in Bondi Beach ‘terror’ attack.

He said, “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.”

He added, "We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism"

There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the sea celebration," Reuters quoted Australian PM Albanese as saying.

Australian police mentioned an "improvised explosive device" had been discovered in a car linked to a suspect in Sydney's Bondi Beach shooting, reported AFP.

"We have found an improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender," New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon informed a news conference.

“Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach," said UK PM Keir Starmer, as per Reuters.

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon stated, "Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, we're family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected."