Shooting at Bondi Beach During Hanukkah Celebration Results in Multiple Casualties
Dec, 14 2025
Lanyon emphasized the importance of allowing law enforcement to carry out their duties without public calls for retribution, noting that Akram had not previously been on the police's radar. The attack has been characterized as a targeted assault on Sydney's Jewish community, with Premier Chris Minns confirming the death toll.
Naveed Akram, originally from Lahore, Pakistan, was reportedly a student at Sydney's al-Murad Institute. During the attack, one of the gunmen was killed at the scene, while Akram was hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the possibility of additional suspects or accomplices.
The police have classified the incident as a terrorist attack, following the discovery of improvised explosive devices in a vehicle at the scene. Lanyon acknowledged the bravery of a bystander who intervened during the attack, managing to disarm one of the shooters. However, Akram allegedly continued to fire after fleeing the initial confrontation. Details regarding the firearms used in the attack have not been disclosed, although they have been confirmed as long arms.