Bondi Beach, Sydney — What was meant to be a joyful first night of Hanukkah turned into one of Australia’s darkest evenings on Sunday, December 14, when gunmen opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration, killing at least 12 people and injuring nearly 30 others, including police officers and children, according to Australian authorities and eyewitnesses.
The attack unfolded around 6:45 p.m. local time, as families and friends gathered near the Bondi Park Playground, overlooking the famous stretch of golden sand. Shots rang out as two men dressed in black fired into the crowd from an elevated position near a footbridge, sending people screaming and scrambling for cover. Video captured in the chaos shows terrified beachgoers running, children being shielded by adults, and at least one assailant tackled and disarmed by a brave bystander.
Police and emergency services flooded the scene in minutes, establishing a perimeter and urging the public to avoid the area while treating the wounded. NSW Ambulance confirmed multiple patients were rushed to hospitals across Sydney, with dozens more treated on site for gunshot wounds. Authorities later declared the immediate threat neutralized and confirmed two attackers were in custody: one was shot dead by police at the scene, and the other was critically injured and taken to a hospital.
Among the dead were people of all ages, with community leaders mourning the loss of life that included children and at least one religious leader who had been part of the Chabad of Bondi event. Shock and grief rippled through the local Jewish community as news spread that a celebration of light and unity had been shattered by violence.
Investigators have identified one suspected shooter as 24-year-old Sydney man Naveed Akram, and are examining whether more accomplices were involved. Police also discovered suspicious devices near the scene, prompting bomb squad units to secure and investigate the area further.
In nationwide statements, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an “evil antisemitic terror incident,” expressing condolences to victims and urging Australians to stand together against hate. NSW Police officials echoed calls for calm, warning against retaliation and promising a thorough investigation as forensic teams comb the beachfront and interview witnesses.
As the sun set on Bondi Beach Monday, residents and visitors alike struggled to reconcile the beauty of the seaside with the horror of the night before. In cafes and homes, the stories of heroism — the bystander who tackled a shooter, families shielding children, strangers offering shelter — have become the threads of solace in a community left mourning yet determined to heal.
