Sydney is in mourning as the true scale of Sunday's terrorist attack at Bondi Beach becomes clear.
Around 7pm on Sunday, December 14, two gunmen opened fire from a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, shooting toward Archer Park, a grassy area on the promenade at Bondi Beach.
They shot "indiscriminately" into the area, which was hosting a Jewish celebration for the first day of Chanukah.
NSW officials and the prime minister have declared it a terrorist attack.
The premeditated actions were "a barbaric attack against Jewish Australians", Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Tuesday.
"It appears the alleged killers were interested only in a quest for a death tally," she told reporters.
Authorities confirmed 15 innocent people died, including a 10-year-old girl. 13 people died at the scene, and two later in hospital. 40 others were injured.
Victims are still being publicly identified, but police said they're aged between 10 and 87 years old.
So far, they have been identified as Matilda, 10; Dan Elkayam, 27; Alex Kleytman, 87; Peter Meagher, 61; Tibor Weitzen, 78; Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41; Reuven Morrison, 62; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39; Marika Pogany, 82; Boris and Sofia Gurman, 69 and 61; and Edith Brutman, 68. Read more on the victims' stories here.
As of Thursday morning, 17 people remain in the hospital, with 12 of them in stable condition.
10-year-old Matilda has been identified as the youngest victim. Image: GoFundMe.
On Monday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed police were not looking for a third offender and said the two shooters were father and son.
Police shot dead the 50-year-old, while his 24-year-old son suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard, where he remains.
Police on Wednesday confirmed the 24-year-old has officially been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder and committing a terrorist act.
Picture forms of father-son.
Counter-terrorism investigators are poring over swathes of seized material as they try to uncover how father-and-son shooters committed the atrocity.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett alleged early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.
There was no evidence to suggest other people were involved in the attack but she cautioned it was an initial assessment and subject to change.
On Tuesday, Lanyon confirmed police found two homemade ISIS flags in a car, registered to the 24-year-old, where they also defused two improvised explosive devices.
He confirmed the pair had travelled to the Philippines but noted the reasons for the trip were still being investigated.
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Police earlier said the 50-year-old was a registered firearms holder, holding a license for recreational hunting, with six firearms licensed to him. All six firearms have been recovered.
At the press conference on Tuesday, Lanyon said the man's licence lapsed in 2015; he reapplied in 2020 and it was regranted in 2023.
Lanyon was challenged about why the man was granted a permit allowing him to carry six long firearms four years after his son came to the attention of ASIO for affiliating with a radical Islamist preacher in Sydney.
The prime minister addressed the ASIO investigation on Monday, saying the six-month investigation determined the 24-year-old was not radicalised.
"He was investigated because of his connections with two people who subsequently — both of whom went to jail," he told ABC.
"They determined that there was no evidence of this person planning or considering or indeed promoting any act of violence, or any act which could be deemed to be antisemitic, targeting the Jewish community, which is what occurred."
Commissioner Mal Lanyon addresses the press. Image: NSW Police Force.
NSW commits to gun reform.
The premier vowed the terror attack would be met with a massive and comprehensive response from NSW Police. The FBI has also confirmed it's assisting Australian authorities.
Minns on Tuesday committed to introducing the toughest gun laws in Australia through NSW legislation, including potentially allowing police to consider all aspects of intelligence when deciding whether a gun licence should be granted.
He said NSW parliament will be recalled next week to consider reforms, which he hopes to enact before Christmas.
"One aspect of gun law reform that is absolutely essential in NSW, and it will be controversial, is for police to use criminal intelligence, not just a criminal record, in determining whether someone should keep a gun licence or even be granted a gun licence in this state," he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said national laws would be strengthened to limit the number of guns per person and citizenship requirements in owning them.
Premier Chris Minns has addressed the public in a press conference. Image: ABC.
On Monday, ASIO director-general Mike Burgess confirmed Australia's terrorism threat was not increasing at this stage, remaining at a probable level, which means there is a 50 per cent chance of an act of terror occurring.
Police launched Operation Shelter to ensure increased police presence at places known to be frequented by the Jewish community, including places of worship, to make sure the Jewish community feel safe.
Lanyon said the number of police involved has been escalated to 328 officers on the ground, with Minns adding the operation will be "overwhelming".
"It may be inconvenient for people in the coming days, but we need to send a clear message to the people of this state and those in the affected community that have seen so much violence and damage that New South Wales police are there to protect them, to keep them safe," he said.
"They've got every right to celebrate their faith and enjoy this festive period free from the profound worry and sadness associated with this horrible violence."
Commissioner Lanyon vowed "no stone will be left unturned" by police and reiterated the need for Australians to let police do their job.
"When I ask for calm, that is very important. This is not a time for retribution. This is a time to allow police to do their duty."
Acts of bravery.
As terror ensued on one of Australia's most iconic beaches, some brave humans ran toward it. Minns said extraordinary acts of heroism were undertaken by "wonderful, brave Australians who are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger."
Father of two Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old tobacco shop owner from Sydney's Sutherland Shire with no firearms training, has been identified as the bystander in a 'white shirt' who bravely wrestled a rifle from the gunman.
Premier Chris Minns sits with Ahmed al Ahmed in hospital. Image: Facebook/ChrisMinns
Ahmed was shot at least twice while intervening. His cousin, Mustafa, told Seven News Ahmed suffered gunshot wounds to his upper arm and hand.
"He's a hero, 100 per cent," Mustafa said.
Commissioner Lanyon touched on this during his Monday address.
"There are many, many stories of bravery from members of the community as well. I really want to acknowledge the work that was done yesterday," he said.
"We know that a number of people are alive now because the actions of innocent bystanders. I thank them for the work they're doing."
Minns on Tuesday called on Australians to continue to donate blood if possible, as trauma victims may require multiple donations.
The response so far has been incredible, with Australians breaking two national blood donation records in the wake of the attack.
Lifeblood said close to 50,000 appointments were booked on Monday, more than double the previous record, and a total of 7,810 donations of blood, plasma, and platelets were made across the country in 24 hours, smashing the previous record.
There have been multiple other reports of everyday Australians doing the extraordinary. Read them here.
Image: Getty.
Police minister Yasmin Catley also spoke to her force's dedication since the attack.
"The Premier and I were over at Bondi," she said. "We went to the police station and there were at least 50 or 60 officers there.
"Most of them weren't on duty. They just heard the event, put their uniform on, got in their car and drove to Bondi Police Station, because they knew they were needed.
"We had them — not just from local [stations] — as far as Newcastle, Sutherland, Western Sydney. You name it."
Minns stepped in to defend the police force on Tuesday, saying sufficient resources were devoted to end the shootings.
"(The police officers) engaged the gunmen on a foot bridge with handguns, the offenders had long-range rifles," he said.
"There are two police in critical care ... they weren't shot in the back as they were running away — they were shot in the front."
A community in mourning.
Sunday was supposed to be a day of light and love for members of the Jewish community coming together for the Chanukah by the Sea event.
Speaking to Sky News, Co-Chief Executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin said the event was "the jewel in the crown of the communal calendar."
"This is the end of the year. The first night of Chanukah. Hundreds of people, families gather at Bondi Beach to light the Chanukah and bring in the holidays," Ryvchin said.
"There are petting zoos, face-painting and food stalls. It's a family event… This is our worst fears realised."
Image: Getty.
Speaking late on Sunday, the premier said, "This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see, and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney.
"This attack was designed to target Sydney's Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah. What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack," he said.
"Our heart bleeds for Australia's Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that they're feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday."
Minns called on the community to support Jewish Australians.
"It's a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia's Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period."
The prime minister also addressed the public on Sunday, telling the Jewish community, "We stand with you."
"We reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe. You have the right to worship and study and live and work in peace and safety. And you enrich us as a nation," Albanese said.
"Tonight, we will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected."
Image: Getty.
Albanese on Monday labelled the attack as "an act of pure evil, an act of anti-Semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores".
"We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out anti-Semitism. It is a scourge and we'll eradicate it together," he said.
The prime minister also called on Australians to hold a candlelight vigil at home and promised gun laws would be tightened as needed.
The area surrounding Bondi Beach will remain cordoned off until Wednesday afternoon for forensic and ballistic work.
A memorial site has been established for those who want to pay their respects.
Flags across Australia will be flown at half-mast to honour the victims.
Phone lines to report and seek support.
NSW Health has initiated an emergency mental health response and has made clinicians visibly available on the ground for community members in need.
A community reception centre has been established at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, 242 Arden Street, Coogee NSW 2034, to assist families of those impacted by the attack.
The centre has been designated as a location for family and witnesses to speak to investigators and support officers during the early stages of the investigations.
Loved ones of those affected by the shooting and witnesses of the shooting are being urged to attend the centre and speak to support officers and investigators.
NSW Health's dedicated Mental Health Line is available 24/7 on 1800 011 511.
Lifeline has created an incident wellbeing support guide. Its national crisis support hotline is also available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
Beyond Blue is also available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636.
If any member of the public has information — or would like information about a loved one or belongings left at the beach — they are urged to contact the inquiry centre. This Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) is available 24/7 on the phone line 1800 227 228.
"We know there's cars, wallets and phones in that area. That's the best number to call to retrieve your personal belongings," officials said.
Police are also appealing to members of the public with requests for footage here.
The NSW Police Force has also activated the 'Register Find Reunite' capability to assist in the registration of those who have been affected by the incident.
Police are encouraging those impacted to register their movements using the Australian Red Cross' 'Register, Find, Reunite' service. It allows people to register that they're safe, help find people who are impacted by the emergency and reunite them with loved ones.
A public condolence book has been opened online on the NSW government website, here.
Overseas reactions.
World leaders have reacted to the attack.
US President Donald Trump spoke at the White House, labelling it a "terrible attack".
"I just want to pay my respects to everybody," he said. "That was a purely antisemitic attack."
Former US Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden have also sent their codolences.
King Charles said he and Queen Camilla are "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack."
"Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community," he said.
Charles commended first responders and members of the public "whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy."
King Charles shared a message. Image: X/royalfamily.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, "The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives."
How to help following the Bondi Beach shooting.
In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting, many people are searching for meaningful ways to help during the incredibly distressing time. If you're able:
You can support victims and their families by donating to verified GoFundMe fundraisers established in response to the attack here.
By giving blood at your nearest Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre, to help those receiving medical care. Find your nearest donation centre here.
You can also pay your respects and share messages of support via the NSW Government's Online Condolence Book, which offers comfort and solidarity to those affected. You can sign the book here.
-with AAP
Featured image: Getty.
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