Bondi terror attack: What we know about the alleged shooters
Father-and-son terrorists opened fire at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, killing at least 15 innocent people and wounding at least 42 others, in one of the darkest days in Sydney’s history. Here’s what we know about the alleged shooters.
Terrorists have opened fire at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 innocent people and wounding at least 29 others, in one of the darkest days in Sydney’s history.
The gunmen, armed with high-powered rifles, opened fire from a footbridge connecting Campbell Pde to Bondi Pavilion about 6.47pm, spraying somewhere between 30 and 50 shots at their apparent intended target of a gathering of Jewish families for the first night of Hanukkah.
One of the terrorists was killed by police who arrived on scene, while another was arrested and taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Naveed Akram has been confirmed as one of the shooters, with heavily-armed police raiding his home in Sydney’s west on Sunday night.
Police sources said the terrorists also threw two pipe bombs towards the crowd of more than 1,000, but the explosives did not detonate.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the incident a terror attack and said police were investigating if a third man was possibly involved — something that was ruled out on Monday morning.
He also revealed officers had also discovered a car parked on Campbell Pde inside which were further explosives.
Premier Chris Minns called the attack “a terrible night for Sydney” and said NSW Police would be given all the resources they needed for their investigation.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack,” Mr Minns said.
“There are things that tonight, I don’t have the answers to.
“I think it’s worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger.
“Anything NSW Police needs in terms of resources, we will provide them. We need to be in a situation where we are sending a clear and unambiguous message to the Jewish community
Incredible video emerged shortly after the shooting of a heroic bystander tackling one of the attackers as he fired upon the crowds, before he managed to wrestle the gun from him, saving countless lives in the process.
Hundreds of NSW Police soon swarmed the streets, with one of the shooters believed to have been killed and another arrested.
Footage of the alleged shooters as the attack unfolded
Incredible video captured the moment a man discharging a large firearm before it was wrestled from his grip by a bystander who crept up behind him.
Other footage shows at least two gunmen, standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing shots into a crowd.
Originally published as Bondi terror attack: What we know about the alleged shooters
