At least 12 people have been killed at Bondi Beach in Sydney after two gunmen opened fire at crowds gathered for a Chanukah by the Sea event.
The black-clad gunmen, one armed with a shotgun, one with a rifle, started shooting at about 6.30pm on Sunday evening as hundreds gathered for the Jewish festival, and police have declared the attack a terrorist incident.
NSW Police and Premier Chris Minns confirmed 12 people were killed, including one of the gunmen, while the other terrorist is in a critical condition. 29 people have been taken to hospital with injuries, including at least two police officers, with that number expected to rise.
A senior law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told ABC News one of the gunmen was named Naveed Akram, and that police were raiding his home in Bonnyrigg, western Sydney, which had been cordoned off to keep dozens of onlookers away.
Full 10 minute clip of the Bondi terrorist attack gunmen firing at beachgoers and then getting taken out by police.
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ASIO director-general Mike Burgess later confirmed that one of the gunmen was known to the spy agency, “but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here”.
Police also said there were no other incidents in other parts of Sydney connected to the shooting, and that “suspicious items” found nearby were being examined by specialist officers, with an exclusion zone in place. They are also investigating whether there was a third gunman.
“We know that there were many people there to celebrate a happy occasion – the celebration of Hanukkah. And there was well over 1,000 people there when this took place,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
“As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9:36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident.”
π¨#BREAKING: Shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney – police saying to avoid the area.
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β The Noticer (@NoticerNews) December 14, 2025
One of the gunmen was taken out by a member of the public who tackled him from behind: pic.twitter.com/kfIG7sKiBO
β The Noticer (@NoticerNews) December 14, 2025
First picture of one of the gunmen: pic.twitter.com/NJuyH6A7EC
β The Noticer (@NoticerNews) December 14, 2025
Video from the scene shows police arresting two men while shotguns and shells lie on the ground, while other video shows several people giving CPR to victims of the shooting.
Another clip shows someone who appears to be a member of the public running up to one of the gunmen, tackling him from behind, and disarming him, only to be shot himself minutes later.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the mass shooting as a “devastating terrorist incident” in a press conference on Sunday night.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith,” he said.
“[This is] an act of evil anti-Semitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
“I just have spoken to the AFP Commissioner and the NSW Premier. We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police.”
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said in a statement: “The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the Prime Minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities,β she shared in a statement.
βThis attack occurred as our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. This was a celebration of peace and hope for the future, severed by hate.
βToday we stand together as Australians against hate in this moment of profound tragedy and shock.β
NSW Opposition leader Kellie Sloane described the shooting as an “attack on our whole country”.
Header image: Left, right, the gunmen carrying out their terror attack.
