By The Sydney City Desk | Last Updated: December 15, 2025 | Fact Checked.
SYDNEY — A heavy police presence remains at Bondi Beach this morning after a targeted terrorist attack turned a community celebration into a scene of horror. Twelve people are confirmed dead and nearly 30 injured after gunmen opened fire on families marking the start of Hanukkah.
What Happened at Bondi Beach?
The shooting began shortly before 7:00 PM AEDT on Sunday, December 14. Hundreds of people had gathered near the Bondi Park Playground for the "Hanukkah by the Sea" Menorah lighting.
Witnesses report that two men dressed in tactical gear launched a coordinated assault using long-range firearms. Panic ensued as shots were fired along Campbell Parade, sending families fleeing into nearby shops and the ocean to escape the gunfire.
Casualties and Victims
NSW Ambulance deployed over 40 crews to the scene, transporting 29 victims to hospitals across Sydney. The toll is devastating:
- 12 confirmed dead (including one perpetrator).
- Several victims remain in critical condition, including at least one child.
- Two police officers were injured during the initial response.
While the names of the victims are being withheld pending family notification, the attack has struck at the heart of Sydney's Jewish community.
The Investigation: Targeted Terror
NSW Premier Chris Minns has labeled the Bondi Beach shooting a "targeted act of evil" designed to intimidate the Jewish community. Unlike the April 2024 mass stabbing at Westfield Bondi Junction, which was attributed to mental health issues, Sunday's attack is being treated as a calculated, ideologically motivated terror offense.
Police have identified Naveed Akram, 24, as one of the suspects. In a chilling discovery, the Joint Counter Terrorism Team also located and neutralized improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a vehicle parked near the event, suggesting the attackers intended to cause even greater destruction.
Public Safety Warning
An exclusion zone remains in place around the Bondi precinct. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has stated that while the immediate threat is contained, the public should avoid the area to allow forensic teams to process the crime scene. A makeshift memorial has already begun to grow at the cordon's edge.