On Sunday, two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 people and wounding 29, authorities said. The shooting occurred during an event called Chanukah by the Sea, which was gathering hundreds to celebrate the start of the Hanukkah festival. One gunman was shot dead by police, while the second was arrested and is in critical condition.
The attackers fired from a position near the shoreline, striking attendees and security personnel alike. The gunmen moved quickly, and the scene turned chaotic as people fled and shouted for help. By the time police arrived, they had already stopped the second gunman and secured the area.
Police responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 6.45 p.m. on Campbell Parade. A massive emergency response was underway, with injured people loaded into ambulances and transported to hospitals. The operation is described by officers as “ongoing” and under continual review.
Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales, confirmed that at least 29 people were wounded, including two police officers. He added that the death toll was “fluid” and that more injured people were still arriving at hospitals. Lanyon also said that a number of suspicious items were being examined by specialist officers.
Chris Minns, the state’s Premier, said the attack was “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community.” He called the massacre a terrorist attack, citing the event’s targeted nature and the weapons used. Minns expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight.”
The event, called Chanukah by the Sea, had drawn hundreds of people to Bondi Beach for a celebration of the Hanukkah festival. The crowd had been enjoying music and food when the gunmen opened fire. The shooting disrupted the festivities and left many in shock.
A dramatic footage captured by a member of the public showed someone tackling and disarming one of the gunmen before pointing the weapon at him. The clip was broadcast on Australian television channels and highlighted the bravery of bystanders. It also underscored the swift action taken by police and civilians alike.
Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, was waiting for his family nearby when he heard shots. He told The Associated Press, “You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away. … I started sprinting. I just had that intuition. I sprinted as quickly as I could.” He added that he heard shooting off and on for about five minutes.
Police said that a number of suspicious items located in the vicinity were being examined by specialist officers. Among them was an improvised explosive device found in one of the suspect’s cars. The discovery prompted a thorough sweep of the area to ensure no further threats remained.
Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade at 6.45 p.m., responding to reports of shots being fired. The rapid response helped save lives, according to officials. Bystanders reported seeing people drop their possessions and run, with many crying as the situation unfolded.
Local news outlets spoke to distressed and bloody bystanders. The atmosphere was described as “horrible” by witnesses, who described the scene as chaotic and traumatic. The community’s reaction was one of grief and disbelief.
“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” Minns told reporters in Sydney. “I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that his thoughts were with all those affected. “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing,” he said. “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives.” The federal government’s response emphasized national unity.
Mass shootings in Australia remain extremely rare. The 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which a lone gunman killed 35 people, prompted the government to tighten gun laws dramatically. Subsequent incidents included two murder‑suicides in 2014 and 2018, each killing five and seven people, respectively.
In 2022, two police officers were shot and killed by Christian extremists at a rural property in Queensland. The three shooters were killed by officers after a six‑hour siege in Wieambilla. That incident was described as a separate act of violence unrelated to the Bondi Beach shooting.
The Bondi Beach attack underscores the ongoing threat of targeted violence. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack, reflecting the seriousness of the assault on a specific community. The investigation continues as police work to identify motives and connections.
The tragedy has left the Jewish community in Sydney grieving and mourning the loss of friends and family. The city’s response has been swift, with police and emergency services working around the clock. The nation mourns as it seeks answers and justice for those who were killed and injured.
