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Warning: This article contains disturbing details of violence.
Hanukkah event descends into chaos
What began as a festive gathering for Sydney's Jewish community at Bondi Beach ended in bloodshed on Tuesday evening when two armed men opened fire, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens more. The attack unfolded shortly after 17:00 local time as families celebrated the first night of Hanukkah.
Timeline of terror
The first emergency call reached police at 18:47, though witnesses reported hearing gunshots earlier. Over the next minutes, the attackers-identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed-targeted crowds from an elevated pedestrian bridge near Campbell Parade, a road bordering the beach. Authorities later confirmed the men used two shotguns.
Footage verified by the BBC captures the horror: upbeat Hanukkah music playing as screams erupt and people drop to the ground. One clip shows bodies lying motionless on the grass, while another depicts a woman shielding a child's head. Panic spread to the beach, where terrified bystanders fled amid the sound of gunfire, crashing cars, and wailing sirens.
Heroic intervention and police response
Chaos briefly subsided when a passerby, Ahmed al Ahmed, disarmed Sajid Akram after tackling him behind parked cars. Ahmed, who was shot twice during the attack, was later praised by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns for preventing further casualties. However, Akram reclaimed another weapon and resumed firing from the bridge within minutes.
Police arrived approximately seven minutes into the attack, finding both suspects wounded. Sajid Akram was declared dead at the scene, while Naveed Akram remains in critical condition. Disturbing footage shows bystanders kicking the injured men before officers intervened.
Investigation focuses on suspects' background
The gunmen resided in Bonnyrigg, a western Sydney suburb, but had recently moved to a short-term rental in Campsie, closer to Bondi Beach. Police raided their family home on Sunday, detaining three individuals who were later released without charge.
Sajid Akram held a recreational gun license and owned six registered firearms, though it remains unclear if these were used in the attack. Naveed Akram had previously been scrutinized for ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State (IS) cell in 2019, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated authorities found no evidence of an ongoing threat at the time.
"It was pandemonium and chaos. People were just trying to escape," said Barry, a witness who attended the Hanukkah event.
Community in shock
Residents near the Akrams' home described the past 48 hours as surreal. Lemanatua Fatu, who lives across the street, recounted her daughter alerting her to the police presence before learning the suspects' identities. "I thought, oh my goodness, it can't be them," she told the BBC.
Unanswered questions
Investigators are examining the men's motives, firearm sources, and potential accomplices. The attack has left Sydney's Jewish community and the broader public reeling, with authorities yet to confirm whether the violence was ideologically motivated.
