Sydney residents and the nation mourned on December 14, 2025, when a mass shooting claimed the lives of 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. Authorities described the incident as a targeted terrorist attack motivated by antisemitism and linked to Islamic State ideology.
The attack occurred around 6:47 PM at Archer Park, adjacent to the iconic Bondi Beach. Nearly 1,000 people had gathered for “Chanukah by the Sea,” an annual event organized by Chabad of Bondi to mark the first night of Hanukkah.
Two gunmen, identified as father Sajid Akram, aged 50, and his son Naveed Akram, aged 24, opened fire on the crowd from a nearby footbridge. They used legally owned firearms, including a bolt-action rifle and shotguns, discharging numerous rounds.
Panic ensued as attendees fled the scene. In a critical moment, bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, aged 43, tackled one of the gunmen from behind, disarming him despite being shot twice himself.
Police responded swiftly, arriving within minutes and engaging the suspects. Officers shot both gunmen; Sajid Akram died at the scene, while Naveed Akram sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized.
Fifteen victims were killed, ranging in age from 10 to 87. Among them were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, an assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi and father of five; Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, who died shielding his wife; and 10-year-old Matilda, a primary school student.
Other confirmed victims included Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, community member Reuven Morrison, soccer player Dan Elkayam, retired policeman Peter Meagher, and Tibor Weitzen, who shielded his wife. Approximately 40 people were injured, including two police officers, with several in critical condition.
Investigators found Islamic State flags in the suspects’ vehicle and homemade explosive devices, which were safely neutralized. Sajid Akram held a valid firearms license with six registered weapons, while Naveed Akram had been known to security agencies since 2019 due to associations with convicted Islamic State supporters, though not previously considered an immediate threat.
New South Wales Police declared the incident a terrorist act. Raids were conducted on properties linked to the suspects in Sydney’s south-west.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an act of “pure evil, antisemitism, and terrorism.” The National Cabinet agreed to expedite stricter gun laws, including a national firearms register, limits on the number of weapons per owner, and restrictions on certain firearm types.
Police expect to charge the surviving suspect once he recovers. The investigation continues, with increased security at Jewish community sites across Australia and New Zealand.
Memorials formed near the beach, with flowers, candles, and messages of condolence. Vigils were held in Australia and internationally, reflecting widespread grief over the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996.