Death toll climbs to 16 after a terrorist mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Police identify father and son attackers as Australia mourns its deadliest shooting since Port Arthur, reigniting debates on extremism and gun laws.
The death toll from a devastating mass shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach has risen to 16, making it one of the deadliest acts of gun violence in Australia in nearly three decades. Police in New South Wales confirmed on Monday that a father and son were responsible for the attack, which has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
According to the New South Wales Police Force, 14 victims were pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday evening, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital. The victims ranged in age from just 10 years old to 87, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence. One of the deceased was identified as one of the attackers.
Another 40 people were injured in the shooting and were receiving medical treatment as of Monday morning. Five of those injured were reported to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could rise further.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon addressed the media at a press conference on Monday, confirming that the two alleged shooters were a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son. The older suspect was killed at the scene during the police response, while investigations continue into the actions and involvement of the younger man.
Commissioner Lanyon revealed that the 50-year-old attacker was a licensed firearm holder who legally owned six guns. Authorities are now examining how legally owned weapons were used to carry out one of the worst mass shootings in the country’s history, a development likely to reignite debate over gun laws and public safety.
The attack occurred at approximately 6:47 p.m. local time on Sunday when the two men opened fire on a large crowd at Bondi Beach. At least 1,000 people had gathered for a public event marking the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as people attempted to flee the area amid gunfire.
Police swiftly responded to the scene, securing the area and providing emergency medical assistance to victims. Large sections of the beach and surrounding streets were cordoned off overnight as forensic teams worked to collect evidence.
On Sunday night, NSW Police formally classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Commissioner Lanyon said investigations into the motive behind the shooting are ongoing, including whether the attackers acted alone or were influenced by extremist ideologies.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it an act of “pure evil.” In a post on social media platform X, Albanese said Australia would not allow hate or violence to divide the nation.
“Australia will not be divided by hate or violence. We will confront it head on. And we will stand together in solidarity with Jewish Australians and with one another,” the Prime Minister said.
Albanese further stressed that antisemitism has no place in Australian society, describing it as a serious threat that must be eliminated through unity and decisive action.
The Bondi Beach tragedy marks Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996, when 35 people were killed at Port Arthur in Tasmania. That massacre led to sweeping reforms in Australia’s gun ownership laws, which are often cited as some of the strictest in the world.
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As the nation mourns, flags were lowered to half-mast across several government buildings, and vigils are being planned to honor the victims. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and vigilant as the investigation continues.
