The Bondi Beach shooting on December 14 killed 15 people and injured many when police say a father and son opened fire at a Hanukkah festival. Authorities allege the pair planned the attack over months, conducted firearms training and recorded an extremist-inspired video. The father was killed by police; the son faces terrorism and multiple murder charges. Governments in New South Wales and federally are moving to tighten gun laws, launch a buyback and target extremist activity.
Bondi Beach Shooting: What We Know About the Deadly Hanukkah Attack
A police helicopter patrols over the Bondi Beach in Sydney as life gradually returns to normal following a deadly shooting attack (Saeed KHAN)(Saeed KHAN/AFP/AFP)
On December 14, a mass shooting at a Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach in Sydney left 15 people dead and many more injured. Authorities say a father and son opened fire on a family-friendly event attended by around 1,000 people, in one of the deadliest single attacks in modern Australian history. Investigations and political responses are ongoing as communities mourn the victims.
Gunfire at Bondi
Police received the first reports of gunfire at 6:47pm local time (0747 GMT). Investigators allege Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, fired long-barrelled weapons into crowds gathered for the Hanukkah celebration. Court documents released by police say the pair "meticulously planned" the attack over several months, conducting firearms training, a nocturnal reconnaissance of Bondi Beach and recording a video setting out extremist motivations.
Toll and Victims
Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. Several victims have been publicly mourned in funerals and community memorials, including a young child described by relatives as a "ray of sunshine," and a local couple who confronted a gunman and were killed. Dozens more were wounded; survivors and first responders described chaotic scenes as people fled the area.
Alleged Perpetrators
Authorities say Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. He was an Indian national who arrived in Australia in 1998. His son, Naveed Akram, an Australian-born 24-year-old, was wounded, treated in hospital and later charged with terrorism offences, 15 counts of murder and multiple counts of grievous bodily harm with intent to murder. Police allege IS flags and other items linked to the attack were found in the vehicle used by the alleged attackers.
Investigation Details
Investigators say the men spent about four weeks in the southern Philippines in the weeks before the attack; hotel staff reported they stayed largely confined to a small room during their visit. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the pair on the footbridge from which they later attacked the crowd. Police allege they loaded three firearms, several improvised explosive devices and two Islamic State flags into a car on the morning of the attack.
Australia's domestic security service, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), previously reviewed the son in 2019 for possible radicalisation but concluded at that time he did not present an ongoing threat. ASIO also spoke to the father during that review. The father held a legal gun licence that allowed him to possess multiple rifles; officers recovered several long guns at the scene.
Official Response and Policy Moves
State and federal governments moved rapidly to strengthen gun laws and tackle violent extremism in the wake of the shootings. New South Wales parliament advanced extensive firearms restrictions and a ban on displaying identified terrorist symbols. The federal government announced plans for a large buyback scheme to remove weapons from circulation and pledged tougher background checks, restrictions on non-citizen ownership of firearms and measures targeting extremist preachers and visa-holders who incite hate.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an apology to the Jewish community and described the event as an atrocity that carried a profound national responsibility. Policy debates continue as authorities investigate motive, potential networks and preventive failures.
Community Impact
The attack has left deep scars in Sydney's multicultural communities and prompted widespread vigils, interfaith solidarity events and calls for improved community safety. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward to assist the investigation.
