It was a night that promised to bring 'joy and light' to Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach as crowds of Jewish families gathered at a park to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. They were among thousands of other swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers who had flocked to Australia's most famous beach on a scorching summer's afternoon.
But not long after the Hanukkah event kicked off at 17:00 local time, the festive music was drowned out by the sound of screams and the echo of gunshots. The initial call to police was made at approximately 18:47, and in the following minutes, two gunmen killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more.
A local high school teacher, Chavi, described dropping to the ground to protect her baby as bullets flew overhead. 'It was pandemonium and chaos,' recalled another attendee named Barry, as he watched throngs of people trying to escape the nightmare.
In a verified video, the upbeat music from the Hanukkah event surprisingly continued playing in the background amid the gunfire, creating a jarring contrast as people crouched on the grass, with some attempting to shield children.
Panic quickly spread from the park to the beach, with videos showing terrified beachgoers fleeing. Witnesses reported hearing screams, honking horns, and ambulance sirens, with some cars crashing as desperate attempts were made to escape the unfolding chaos.
A nearly 11-minute video provides a timeline of the attack, showing the two gunmen making their way across Campbell Parade and firing on the crowd from an elevated position. Identified as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, they allegedly used two shotguns to carry out the attack.
Amid the chaos, a passerby identified as Ahmed al Ahmed successfully managed to disarm one of the attackers but was shot twice in the process. His quick actions have been praised by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns for potentially saving 'countless lives'.
Less than a minute after being disarmed, Sajid returned to shooting with another weapon, but the assault ceased shortly after police fire struck both men. Police later confirmed that one of the gunmen was found dead, while the other was critically wounded.
The investigation continues, focusing on the attackers' backgrounds and whether the firearms were legally owned. Reports indicate Sajid Akram was a licensed gun owner with prior scrutiny over his son's ties to a local radical group.
Community reactions include shock and fear, with residents recounting the unsettling atmosphere in the aftermath of the shooting.
