Bondi Beach shooting: 16 killed, 40 injured, police identify father-son duo as shooters

AT least 16 people were killed at a Jewish holiday event on Bondi Beach in Sydney on 14 December. Forty others were injured and rushed to the hospital after a father-son duo opened fire. The details were confirmed by Australia's New South Wales police force early on 15 December in a post on X.

Addressing the media on 15 December, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that only two offenders were involved in the Bondi Beach shooting.

“We are satisfied that there are two offenders involved in yesterday's incident. One is deceased, the second is in critical, but stable condition in the hospital. The offenders are a 50-year-old and a 24-year-old male who are father and son. The 50-year-old is deceased, the 24-year-old is currently in the hospital,” he stated.

Who are the shooters?

The two shooters have been identified as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, father and son, Reuters reported, quoting local media reports.

What has the investigation so far revealed?

Commissioner Lanyon reported that police executed two search warrants on 14 December. The 50-year-old male was a licensed firearms holder with six firearms licensed to him.

“We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday, but also as a result of the search warrants.” Ballistics and forensic investigation determined this morning confirmed the six recovered firearms were licensed to the man and were used in the Bondi Beach attack.

The police commissioner added that the police will continue to investigate the matter “thoroughly” to assure the New South Wales community that police “will not stop until we understand the reasons behind this senseless incident and take any available action that we need to do.”

How events unfolded: Gunfire reported at 6.47 PM on Sunday

According to an AFP report, emergency services in the city responded to reports of shots being fired at 6:47 PM (0747 GMT) on 14 December (Sunday). Bondi Beach is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations.

The shooting took place during an annual event to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which police said was attended by around 1,000 people.

According to the report, citing police, the attackers fired at the crowd, killing people aged 10-87, the youngest being a girl who later died in a children's hospital. Two police officers were also wounded in a shootout with the gunmen.

Attack declared as ‘terrorism’, world leaders react

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has declared the attack a terrorist incident at 9:36 PM (1036 GMT). Thus, the police have been joined by federal forces to launch a joint counter-terrorism operation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Bondi Beach in the morning on 15 December to lay flowers near the scene of the attack. Speaking to reporters, he said, “What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location. The Jewish community are hurting today. Today, all Australians wrap their arms around them and say, 'We stand with you.' We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism. It is a scourge, and we will eradicate it together.”

PM Albanese also told reporters that world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, had reached out to offer condolences and support.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed the attack and said he had warned Albanese that Australia's support for Palestinian statehood would fuel antisemitism.