A father and son have been identified as the alleged gunmen behind the deadly terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as authorities confirmed the death toll has climbed to 15, including a 10-year-old child. One of the attackers was also killed during the incident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, and an act of terrorism on our shores.” The massacre is Australia’s worst mass shooting in 29 years.
Police confirmed the alleged shooters as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram was critically injured and remains in hospital under police guard.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the younger Akram is expected to face criminal charges if his condition improves. Police also confirmed they are not searching for any additional attackers.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state government is preparing to toughen gun laws to restrict access to what he called “horrifying” weapons. While no formal announcement has been made yet, Minns said legislation would be introduced to make it harder to obtain such firearms.
“If you’re not a farmer or involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger?” Minns said.
Lanyon confirmed Sajid Akram legally held a recreational hunting license under a Category A/B firearms permit, allowing him to own six long-arm weapons. He was a member of a gun club and had held a firearms license for about 10 years. Some of the weapons he owned were allegedly used in the attack.
Police said officers fired multiple shots, killing the older man and injuring his son. A police statement confirmed that 14 people died at the scene, with two more dying in hospital overnight. A total of 40 people were injured.
Those killed ranged in age from 10 to 87. The 10-year-old girl was among four children rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital. A 40-year-old man also died from his injuries in hospital.
Albanese said Bondi Beach, a place usually linked with joy and celebration, had been “forever tarnished” by the attack. He said the violence was a deliberate attack on the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.
“Today, all Australians wrap our arms around them and say we stand with you,” Albanese said. “We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.”
Authorities urged people to donate blood as hospitals continue to treat the injured. Minns said a memorial site has been set up behind the Bondi Pavilion, where members of the public are encouraged to lay flowers. Officials reported record levels of blood donation inquiries.
Police revealed they found two basic but active explosive devices at the scene, which were safely rendered harmless by bomb disposal teams. The shooting was formally declared a terrorist incident on Sunday evening.
Lanyon said the younger attacker was known to police, but there had been no indication the attack was being planned. The pair had been staying in Campsie, with their registered address in Bonnyrigg. Both properties were raided by police.
The prime minister and premier attended a security briefing with intelligence agency ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, and NSW Police on Monday. Crisis cabinet meetings are expected to continue throughout the week.
Police confirmed 328 officers will be deployed in suburbs with large Jewish populations under Operation Shelter.
Emergency services were praised for their response, with paramedics treating victims under fire. NSW Health officials said lessons learned from last year’s Bondi Junction stabbings helped save lives. Volunteer surf lifesavers also assisted with first aid and CPR, with no injuries reported among them.
As of Monday morning, 26 of the injured were in stable condition across nine Sydney hospitals. Seven remain critical, four are critical but stable, and two have been discharged.
Bondi Beach and surrounding roads were closed as counter-terrorism investigators examined the scene. Items abandoned by fleeing victims, including bags, shoes, helmets, and food containers, were scattered across footpaths and parks.
Prime Minister Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the site on Monday morning. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the attack showed how antisemitism had taken root in Australia, calling for a serious investigation into how it was allowed to escalate.
Among the dead were London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, from Chabad of Bondi, and Alex Kleytman, a Ukrainian-born Holocaust survivor. Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed one victim was an Israeli citizen.
One of the injured was a bystander who bravely tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen. Hanukkah celebrations in Melbourne were cut short as news of the attack spread across the country.