UPDATE: A shocking mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney has left 16 people dead, including a beloved British Rabbi and a 12-year-old girl. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that the two gunmen behind this horrific attack were father and son.
The attack occurred during a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, where chaos erupted as gunfire rang out. At least 40 individuals, including four children, have been hospitalized with various injuries. Police have classified this incident as a terrorist attack, intensifying the urgency of the ongoing investigation.
Commissioner Lanyon disclosed in a press conference that the gunmen were identified as a 50-year-old and a 24-year-old male. The elder gunman is deceased, while the younger suspect is currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities also uncovered multiple explosive devices at the beach, believed to be connected to the deceased gunman.
Witnesses described a scene of panic as people fled the beach, desperately seeking safety amid the unfolding violence. One heroic bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, bravely tackled one of the shooters, managing to wrestle the rifle away before being shot twice himself. He is currently in the hospital.
Police confirmed that among the deceased are a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man, both of whom succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The ages of the victims range from 10 to 87 years old, reflecting the tragic impact on families and the community.
As of now, five victims remain in critical condition, while others are reported to be in serious but stable condition. The emotional toll of this tragedy is resonating throughout the community, as details continue to emerge.
Authorities have called for witnesses and anyone with footage of the incident to come forward as they work to piece together the full scope of this devastating attack. The situation is still developing, and further updates are expected in the coming hours.
Stay tuned for more coverage as we continue to follow this urgent story, reflecting the profound impact on families and the broader community in Sydney and beyond.
