How Bondi's Hanukkah festival turned from joy to horror within minutes
A festive Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney, turned tragic when two gunmen, identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram, attacked the event shortly after it began, resulting in at least 15 deaths and numerous injuries. The chaos unfolded quickly, with the initial shots fired around 18:47, leading to panic as attendees fled the scene. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of terror as music from the event mixed with screams and gunfire. The attack ended when both gunmen were shot by police, with one being killed on-site. Investigations are ongoing, focusing on the shooters' backgrounds and the firearms used, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this violence during a significant religious observance.
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The shooting began at a Hanukkah event around 17:00 local time, with festive activities quickly overshadowed by gunfire that was first reported at 18:47. Eyewitnesses described the immediate chaos as people attempted to flee while others sheltered in place.
The attackers, Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, used sporting shotguns to carry out the shooting from a pedestrian bridge overlooking the event. They reportedly targeted attendees indiscriminately, leading to a high number of casualties in a short time.
Ahmed al Ahmed, a bystander, intervened by disarming Sajid Akram during the attack, an act that was praised by officials for potentially saving lives. However, Sajid returned to shooting shortly thereafter until police intervened.
Sajid Akram was found dead at the scene, while Naveed was critically injured and taken to the hospital. Both men had been living in a short-term rental closer to the beach prior to the attack, raising questions about their motives and planning.
Investigators are examining the Akram family's background, noting that Sajid owned multiple registered firearms and that Naveed had previous ties to an Islamic State cell, though authorities had assessed there was no ongoing threat from him prior to the attack.
The community's response has been one of shock and mourning, with local leaders and residents expressing their grief and outrage, as well as solidarity with the Jewish community, emphasizing the importance of celebrating faith despite the violence.