A horrific mass shooting occurred at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, 14 December 2025, during a large public event marking the first day of Hanukkah.
Two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, including a child, with over 40 others injured. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns officially designated the event as an “act of evil antisemitism, terrorism,” confirming it was deliberately “designed to target” the Jewish community.
One of the alleged assailants, identified as a 50-year-old father, was killed, while his 24-year-old son remains in custody and critically injured, signalling the latest development in the ongoing counter-terror investigation.
The Heroic Intervention of Bystander
The horrific Bondi Beach shooting, which tragically killed 15 people, was met with the incredible bravery of one “hero” bystander, 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed. Viral X footages captured Mr. Ahmed, a fruit shop owner and father of two, running directly toward a gunman, managing to seize the weapon from him.
By turning the gun around, he forced the attacker to abandon the weapon and retreat, an act credited with saving numerous lives during the Hanukkah event massacre. For his heroism, Mr. Ahmed was shot, suffering bullet wounds to his arm and hand.
Alleged Attackers Identified
The alleged antisemitic terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah has been linked by police to a father and son duo. The two alleged attackers are Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24.
The elder Akram was killed by police officers at the scene, while the younger Akram was arrested and taken to a Sydney hospital in critical condition under police guard.
Authorities confirmed the men had lived at a home in Bonnyrigg, which was later raided by counter-terror units. The son was also known to New South Wales police and other agencies prior to the attack.
Shocking Link to Licensed Weapons
A significant development in the investigation is the alleged use of legally obtained firearms. The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, held a Category AB firearm licence for ten years, allowing him to possess six long arms, including certain rifles and shotguns.
All six weapons were recovered by police, with at least three seized from the Bondi scene. The shock use of licensed weapons in a terrorist act has sparked an immediate national debate on the security of Australia’s gun control system, famously strict since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Australia Vows Gun Law Changes
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns strongly condemned the attack and immediately vowed to initiate changes to the state’s gun laws.
The Premier stated that legal amendments would “almost certainly” be forthcoming, specifically targeting the system that allowed the type of powerful firearms used in the massacre to be owned by the individual.
Minns announced a comprehensive investigation into whether there was any system failure, prioritising community safety, the criminal prosecution of the arrested offender, and then a full review of all intelligence and procedural failures.
Community Reactions
Details about the younger alleged attacker, Naveed Akram, have emerged from former colleagues who described him as a hardworking but ‘weird operator’ bricklayer with an interest in hunting. Unconfirmed claims suggest Naveed was a member of a hunting club.
The attack has been met with shock from their neighbours in Bonnyrigg, a generally quiet suburb. Furthermore, a religious figure who had previously taught Naveed distanced himself from the actions, quoting the Qur’an that taking an innocent life is forbidden, and sending condolences to the victims and the Jewish community.
Security and Intelligence Inquiry
The investigation is also probing potential intelligence shortcomings. While the police commissioner would not confirm media reports, there were unconfirmed and unverified claims that Naveed Akram was identified in a 2019 counter-terror investigation related to an Islamic State cell.
Additionally, reports suggested police found a manifesto or a black Islamic State flag in the car used by the alleged attackers.
Premier Minns acknowledged the need to review whether federal intelligence regarding the suspects was adequately shared with the NSW police, as authorities work to understand the planning and motivation behind the calculated terrorist attack.
