Father, Son Behind Bondi Beach Shooting That Killed 15, Australian Police Say
SYDNEY: Australian police on Monday confirmed that the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, which claimed the lives of 15 people, was carried out by a father and son, as the nation mourns one of its worst mass shooting incidents in nearly three decades.
According to law enforcement officials, the two alleged gunmen targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. The attackers were identified by local media as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram.
Police said the father was shot dead at the scene during the security response, raising the total death toll to 16, including the attacker. His son remains in critical condition in hospital under police guard.
Authorities have officially described the incident as a targeted antisemitic attack. Around 1,000 people were attending the Hanukkah event, held in a small park adjacent to Bondi Beach, when the shooting began.
Witnesses reported that the attack lasted approximately 10 minutes, triggering panic as hundreds of beachgoers and event attendees fled across the sand and into surrounding streets on a hot summer evening.
Police confirmed that at least 40 people remain hospitalized, including two police officers who sustained gunshot wounds and are listed in serious but stable condition. Victims range in age from 10 to 87, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Footage circulating on social media showed a bystander courageously tackling and disarming one of the attackers. Australian media identified the man as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, who was shot twice during the ordeal. He underwent surgery and is now recovering.
The man has been widely hailed as a hero, with a fundraising campaign for his medical expenses and recovery raising more than A$350,000 by Monday afternoon.
Police revealed that the father held a valid firearms license since 2015 and legally owned six registered weapons. While authorities have not released detailed specifications, videos from the scene suggest the attackers used a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while his son was born in Australia and held citizenship.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators are still piecing together the background and possible motives of the attackers. “We are very much working through the background of both persons. At this stage, we know very little about them,” he told reporters.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the site of the attack on Monday morning, laying flowers and meeting community members. He described the shooting as “an act of pure evil” and “an act of terrorism” at one of Australia’s most recognizable locations.
“The Jewish community is hurting today,” Albanese said. “All Australians stand with them. We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.”
The prime minister later urged Australians to light candles in solidarity with the Jewish community, referencing the symbolic message of Hanukkah that “light will defeat darkness.”
Albanese also confirmed receiving messages of condolence and support from global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Bondi Beach shooting marks the deadliest incident in a recent surge of antisemitic attacks across Australia, including vandalism and arson targeting synagogues, vehicles, and buildings since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023.
In August, Australian authorities accused Iran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks and expelled Tehran’s ambassador, further underscoring growing security concerns tied to international tensions.
As investigations continue, the tragedy has reignited debate over extremism, hate crimes, and public safety in Australia, a country long known for its strict gun control laws.
