One gunman was fatally shot by law enforcement, while a second alleged gunman is in critical condition at a hospital following a tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
The initial assailant, aged 50, was gunned down by police at the Sydney beach and succumbed to his injuries on-site. The second suspect, a 24-year-old man, sustained severe wounds and was hospitalized under police supervision, according to New South Wales Police. Authorities received reports of gunfire at the beach at approximately 6:47 pm local time on Sunday (7:47 am GMT on Monday).
Police confirmed on Monday morning local time that the two attackers were father and son. Overnight searches in the suburbs of Bonnyrigg and Campsie in western Sydney uncovered that the 50-year-old man possessed a firearms license and owned six firearms, believed to have been utilized in the assault. Additionally, two active improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered at the scene, with authorities stating they are not actively seeking a third suspect.
The gunmen tragically claimed the lives of 15 individuals, including a beloved British rabbi and a 10-year-old girl, during an attack at a Hanukkah celebration attended by around 1,000 people. Officials reported that 40 others, including four children, sustained injuries. Seven individuals are in critical condition, four are in critical but stable condition, 26 are in stable condition, two have been treated and released, and one is awaiting assessment.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”