- At least 16, including one gunman, were killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach, around 40 injured
- Police say the suspects are a father and son
- The attack targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration
- Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed ‘tougher gun laws’ in response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as “an act of pure evil, antisemitism and terrorism” and announced his government is considering tougher firearm regulations, including stricter license reviews and ownership limits.
He has confirmed that the 24-year-old alleged attacker in the Bondi Beach shooting had previously come to the attention of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) in 2019, following concerns linked to his associations at the time.
Albanese told reporters that the assessment was conducted over a six-month period and was prompted not by the individual’s own actions, but by the people he was connected with. He stressed that authorities ultimately concluded the individual did not pose a threat at that stage.
“The assessment was made because of the son’s associations that he had at that time, and the investigation went for a period of six months,” Albanese said. He added that further details could not be disclosed, noting that the matter remains under active investigation and authorities would not compromise ongoing inquiries.
Authorities have identified the perpetrators as a father-and-son pair. According to official information, the father arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa before transitioning to a partner visa in 2001, and has travelled overseas only three times since then. The son was born in Australia.
Officials have not released the names of the suspects or confirmed the country from which the father emigrated. Police also confirmed that the father legally held a license for six firearms, all of which have since been recovered.
In the wake of revelations that one of the attackers was a licensed gun owner, Albanese said his government would urgently review Australia’s gun control framework. He confirmed that stricter firearms regulations would be discussed at a cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary, including the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese said,
He pointed to the landmark reforms introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre as evidence that decisive action can save lives, saying Australia should not hesitate to strengthen its laws further if needed.
“If we need to toughen these up, if there’s anything we can do, I’m certainly up for it,” he said.
Police identified the perpetrators as a father and son, aged 50 and 24. The older suspect was shot dead during the attack, while the younger gunman was arrested and remains in critical but stable condition in hospital
The deadly terrorist attack that sent shockwaves throughout Australia and the world at large has left, for now, 16 people dead and injured around 40 others.
Australian media said the gunmen targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, that also killed two police officers.
New South Wales Police declared the shooting a terrorist incident, saying the attack deliberately targeted a Hanukkah gathering attended by nearly 1,000 people, including families and children. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, with at least one child among the dead, according to dw.com
Police identified the perpetrators as a father and son, aged 50 and 24. The older suspect was shot dead during the attack, while the younger gunman was arrested and remains in critical but stable condition in hospital. Authorities confirmed there were no additional suspects.
Investigators revealed the deceased gunman legally owned six firearms and had held gun licenses for more than a decade, prompting renewed debate over Australia’s gun laws.
Security has been heightened at Jewish and Hanukkah events worldwide following the attack, with cities including Berlin, London and New York increasing police presence around synagogues and community venues.
Amid the tragedy, acts of bravery emerged. A 43-year-old local shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, was seriously wounded after tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. He remains hospitalized in stable condition after surgery and has been widely hailed as a hero.
Floral tributes continue to grow at Bondi Beach as Australians mourn the victims. The prime minister and senior officials visited the site, vowing that hatred and terror would not divide the nation.
Investigations remain ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the radicalization of the attackers and assess further security measures nationwide.
