NEED TO KNOW
- At 6.40pm on Sunday, December 14, shots were fired at Bondi Beach.
- Sixteen people were killed, including one perpetrator, and dozens more were injured.
- Police have described it as a terror attack, targeting a Jewish Hanukkah event.
- Anthony Albanese is considering stricter gun laws following the tragedy.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.
The British royals have expressed their solidarity with Australia following the tragic Bondi Beach shooting.
At least 15 victims were killed in a mass shooting on Sunday, December 14, which targeted Jewish patrons attending a Hanukkah event on the Sydney beach.
Dozens more people were injured, including a child and two police officers, while one of the shooters was also killed.
Following the tragedy, King Charles and Queen Camilla offered their condolences to anyone who had been affected and condemned the atrocity.
Charles’ full statement read: “My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
“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.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah Festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
Prince William and Princess Kate also stood in solidarity with Australia following the antisemitic attack.
“Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach,” a joint statement from the couple read.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief.
“We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers. W & C.”
Princess Anne, who completed a royal tour of Australia in November, also sent a letter of condolence to the Governor-General following the attack.
“The Princess Royal has asked me to write and express her shock and sadness in relation to the shootings at Bondi Beach, New South Wales, on 14th December,” the letter read.
“Her Royal Highness sends her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and her hopes for a speedy recovery to all those who were injured.
“The Princess Royal would also like to pay tribute to the first responders and members of the public who put themselves in harm’s way to help others.
“Her Royal Highness is aware of the devastating effect that this tragedy will have had within the local and wider community and sends all those affected by this tragedy her sympathy at this difficult time.”
At least 15 victims were killed in the tragic shooting
The shooting has shocked the world, and political leaders have united to condemn the atrocity.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “pure evil” in a statement given on Monday, December 15.
“Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our nation’s history, but we as a nation are stronger than the cowards that did this,” he said.
He laid flowers at Bondi Pavilion in tribute to those who were killed on Monday morning, and also spoke to officers attending the scene.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government has already been looking at potential law reforms around gun ownership in the wake of the shooting.
“I think it’s time that we have a change in the law in relation to the firearms legislation in New South Wales, but I’m not ready to announce it today,” he said.
“We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact, but it’s not the last time I’ll be mentioning it, and you can expect action soon.”
Albanese backed his stance and confirmed he would raise the matter at an emergency National Cabinet.
“People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity,” he said.
“If we need to toughen these up, if there’s anything that we can do, I’m certainly up for it.”
At the time of writing, authorities had confirmed that 16 people, including children and one perpetrator, were killed when two gunmen armed with rifles opened fire at Bondi Beach.
Police have described the incident as a terrorist attack targeting a Jewish holiday celebration.
Police believe the victims’ ages range between 10 and 87, and two injured police officers remain in serious but stable condition.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger has been named as one of the victims who died in the terror attack, with a GoFundMe page set up for his family.
“My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was murdered in today’s terrorist attack in Sydney,” his cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, announced online.
“He leaves behind his wife and young children, as well as my uncle and aunt and siblings. He was truly an incredible guy.”
A 10-year-old girl called Matilda was also among the reported victims, with her family members confirming the devastating news on social media.
“A great tragedy has happened to my family. Yesterday, my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach,” her aunt wrote.
“I don’t know how we survive such grief.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Matilda’s language teacher and describes her as a ” bright, joyful, and spirited child”.
Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, grandmother Marika Pogany and Jewish man Reuven Morrison are all reported to have been among those killed.
French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed that French citizen Dan Elkayam, 27, was a victim in the shooting.
“It is with deep sadness that I learn of the death of our compatriot Dan Elkayam in the antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I think of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the nation.”
Witnesses reported that the first shots were fired at around 6.40pm, with footage allegedly showing one gunman opening fire from an elevated bridge.
Cricket legend Michael Vaughan said he was locked in a restaurant “a few hundred yards from the attack” with his wife and two daughters, among others.
The former England cricket captain, who is in Australia working as a sports pundit for the Ashes, described hearing the gunshots as “terrifying”.
“I have never experienced anything like it. You know what’s happening around you, but you don’t want to believe it’s happening,” he told The Telegraph.
One of the gunmen was killed by police in the exchange of gunfire, while the second remains in the hospital.
One of the alleged shooters has been identified by a police source as Naveed Akram, 24, from Bonnyrigg, according to the ABC.
His 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was allegedly the second shooter, who was shot dead at the scene.
He was allegedly a licensed firearms holder, and all of his six firearms were recovered at the scene in Bondi, according to authorities.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators had ruled out the involvement of a third gunman.
“We are satisfied there were two offenders involved in yesterday’s incident,” he said.
“One is deceased, the second is in critical but stable condition in hospital at the moment.”
Police said 328 officers have been deployed to provide extra security and support to the Jewish community in Sydney following the attack.
Hero bystander tackles and disarms shooter
The moment a man dressed in civilian clothes tackled and disarmed one of the alleged Bondi Beach shooters was caught on camera.
Footage showed the man crouching behind a vehicle whilst the alleged shooter fired his weapon, before he ran up behind him and grappled for the firearm.
The man manages to force the alleged shooter to the ground and pull the weapon out of his hands before pointing it at him.
A second shooter was seemingly visible firing from the bridge, before a police officer approached him.
The bystander has been hailed as a hero for his incredible act of courage, which put himself in the firing line.
He was identified by his relatives as Ahmed El-Ahmed, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
It has been reported that he sustained at least two bullet wounds himself and is in the hospital undergoing surgery.
“I just got a call from the doctor right now, and I’m going to see him. I can’t give you any updates until I see him,” his cousin reportedly told the publication.
A GoFundMe page has been set up in Ahmed’s honour and has already raised nearly $2million, at the time of writing.
World leaders rally behind Australia
World leaders have united in grief following the tragedy, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lighting a menorah in the window of Number 10 Downing Street.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those murdered in the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach today, their loved ones and the whole Jewish community,” he wrote on social medida.
“Light will always win over darkness.”
His wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, is Jewish, and they often mark the beginning of Shabbat on Friday nights.
Queen Mary of Denmark, who was born in Hobart, issued a statement following the tragedy.
Their Majesties said: “We and the people of Denmark are profoundly saddened by the tragic news of the terror attack at Bondi Beach today.
“We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to all those affected, their loved ones, the people of Australia and the Jewish community.”
Tributes flock in
Australian celebrities also united following the shooting, which marked the deadliest incident in the country since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 36 people were killed by a lone gunman.
Kylie Minogue took to her Instagram Stories to share her support, writing, “My heart is with you Bondi.”
Catherine Zeta Jones also shared her devastation in a lengthy post, saying, “After a weekend of profound sadness my heart is heavy. Why can’t Jews celebrate their holiday on a beach in Australia, without being massacred. Why can’t young students study in a classroom without being gunned down.
“Why do our friends need to be killed in their homes. Hate, violence and abusive rhetoric has permeated to levels of unimaginable toxicity. Across the board. Everywhere. Over 8 billion of us on this planet.
“We can’t expected to be liked or to like everyone. We can’t expect to agree with everyone or for everyone to agree with us. But why does one have to be killed for it. There is room for us all here on a heavenly earth. Hell is filling up pretty quick.”
Delta Goodrem admitted she was “heartbroken” to hear of the news and thanked all the first responders who assisted those on the scene.
“We are heartbroken by the horrific events at Bondi yesterday. Our deepest thoughts are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones, and with all those who were injured,” she said.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with the Jewish community in Australia and around the world at this time of profound grief.
“Amid such darkness, the acts of courage, kindness, and humanity we have witnessed remind us that goodness endures, and that love will always rise to meet hate.
“We are profoundly grateful to the everyday Australians who stepped in, and to the police, lifeguards, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who responded with extraordinary professionalism and care, and who continue to support and treat those affected by this tragedy.”
Larry Emdur broke down in tears in an emotional Instagram video where he admitted his heart was “shattered” by the shocking events.
“I want to send all my love and best wishes, clearly, to the victims and the families of the victims,” he said.
“I’ve grown up on Bondi Beach, I’ve walked across that bridge one million times from when my feet were so small and I’ve played in that park all of my life.
“Bondi only ever for me has been a place of happiness, and all I can remember from my 50 or 60 years there is happy family times and laughing, and beautiful memories, and that all changed yesterday for so many families and so many people.”
“My heart goes out to you all, me and my family are so sad, and I just wanted to let you know that we’re all thinking of you, everyone who this has affected, and there are so many people,” he added.
Elsewhere, Robert Irwin took to Instagram to share a statement, adding, “I am absolutely heartbroken and devastated. My heart is with everyone who has been affected by Sunday’s horrible and tragic events.”
Dr Chris Brown also shared a photograph of a sunset on Bondi Beach and said he didn’t recognise the area after the atrocoties.
“I’m still in disbelief. It’s a tragedy that’s so unfathomable for this community that’s all about shared moments of joy…and peace,” he wrote.
“This here, this is the Bondi I know. For years I lived across the road from that foot bridge that’s now so synonymous with this tragedy. It was always a gateway to the tranquility of the ocean and that beautiful sense of community that will also help Bondi get through this…somehow.
“Sending love to everyone affected. And thanks to everyone that helped and showed incredible courage. Like legendary Ahmed Al Ahmed. We are all with you.”
Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman’s niece, Lucia Hawley, said, “Absolutely devastated by what has happened in our beautiful Bondi. The most sickening act of terror – my heart goes out to the Jewish community and all my family and friends back home.”
Oprah, who stayed in Bondi in recent days while visiting Australia for her In Conversation speaking tour, expressed her solidarity with the country.
“I just spent the last two weeks in Australia, walking Bondi just days ago feeling the openness and ease that lives there,” she wrote on Instagram.
“It’s hard to reconcile that sense of peace with the terror of last night. My heart breaks for the victims, their families, and loved ones, and all you Aussies.”
Bondi Rescue‘s lifeguards also took to Instagram to confirm that all the staff were “safe” after working as first responders on the scene.
“The lifeguards are safe and have done an incredible job being first responders on the scene,” the post read. “Our thoughts are with all involved.”
Photographs circulated of lifeguard Jackson “Jacko” Doolan running barefoot from Tamarama to help the first responders on the scene.
Sharing the photograph, TV host Osher Gunsberg penned: “This. All of this. There are more people who want to help than people who want to harm. We can’t forget that.”
Elsewhere, singer Troye Sivan said, “Thinking tonight of the victims and their families, the Bondi and wider Sydney communities, and for every Jewish person in this country. This is not who we are as Australians.”
The Block‘s 2025 winner, Taz Etto, works as a police officer, and he and his wife, Britt, shared a statement after the shooting.
“Our thoughts are with those in Bondi right now as well as the family of the deceased and injured,” they wrote on Instagram.
“To our blue family and other first responders, take care of each other.
“Some days we put on the uniform and we’re patrolling the beach or kicking a footy with the community.
“Days like today, the officers had to step up to the unimaginable and respond to pure evil in order to protect the community.
“Wearing the uniform means accepting that not every shift is guaranteed to finish how it began.”
Married At First Sight star Ella Ding commented, “I don’t know what to think or what to say. I am in complete shock and heartbroken for anyone and everyone affected by what’s happened in Bondi. Thinking of you all.”
The Bachelor star Laura Byrne penned, “There are no words for the level of evil that was carried out in Bondi tonight. To the Jewish community and to our beautiful Bondi. We are safe, our thoughts and hearts are with everyone who has been devastated by this.”
Fashion designer Pip Edwards and her friend, Jess Engles, shared photographs from the beach just hours before the shooting.
They later confirmed that they were “not injured”, but had been forced to hide under a vehicle from the gunmen.
“Hi. Me and Pip are not injured. We were surrounded by the gunmen hiding under a van. Our car plus (others) around us were shot,’ Jess’ post read.
“We saw their feet and guns in front of our van. I cannot elaborate now. Please don’t contact me about this right now.”
Pip later broke her silence on social media, recalling how they were stuck underneath a van for 15 minutes while a gunman stood in front of them.
“We had to immediately take refuge under a van and watched the gunman’s feet with his gun pace in front of the van right at our heads, using the van as his post,” she said.
“His feet were in front of the van and another gunman’s feet were behind, circling the van.
“The shots kept firing and we rolled from side to side under the van to hide behind the wheels, as the gunmen’s feet walked around us, trying not to be seen.
“We were under there for 15 minutes in complete panic, shock, almost frozen, couldn’t breathe because we didn’t want to be heard.”
Calls to donate blood
Lifeblood Australia has put out a call for blood donations to assist in the wake of the shooting, as some 40 people remain in the hospital.
The blood donation service needs O-blood donations for hospitals across Sydney, having already transferred blood from states around Australia.
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Australia has experienced temporary technical issues due to the high volumes of people trying to visit the website.
Lifeblood are working to “fix the temporary outage”, adding, “We appreciate your patience and we thank you for helping us meet demand.”
