Australian federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed on Tuesday that a mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach, which resulted in 15 fatalities during a Hanukkah celebration, was "a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State." This confirmation was based on evidence obtained during the investigation.
Attack Details and Suspects
The suspects have been identified as a father and son, aged 50 and 24 respectively. The older individual, named Sajid Akram by state officials, was fatally shot. His son is currently receiving medical treatment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that evidence, including the discovery of Islamic State flags in a seized vehicle, informed the officials' beliefs about the suspects' ideologies.
The incident occurred on Sunday at Bondi Beach, Australia's most renowned beach. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.
Casualties and Hospitalization
Currently, 25 individuals remain hospitalized following the attack, with 10 in critical condition. Three of these patients are children. Ahmed al Ahmed, a 42-year-old Syrian-born fruit shop owner, sustained shotgun wounds to his left shoulder and upper body while disarming one assailant. Prime Minister Albanese visited al Ahmed in the hospital.
Local lifeguards were also noted for their actions during the event, including performing ocean rescues and providing first aid.
Investigation Updates
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that a vehicle registered to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags. Authorities are investigating the suspects' trip to the Philippines last month, from November 1 to November 28, with Davao listed as their stated destination. The Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed their travel. While certain groups in the southern Philippines previously expressed support for the Islamic State group, military and police officials report no recent indications of foreign militants in the region.
Policy Discussions and Public Response
Prime Minister Albanese and state leaders have indicated intentions to strengthen Australia's existing gun laws. This follows information that the older suspect had legally acquired a cache of six weapons. Such reforms would represent significant changes since a 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur, Tasmania, after which mass shootings in Australia became rare.
Public inquiries into the planning and execution of the attack, alongside concerns regarding the protection of Australian Jews amid rising antisemitism, prompted officials to release further information. Commissioner Barrett stated that the alleged killers "appeared to have no regard for the age or ableness of their victims."
Israel's Ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, visited the memorial site at Bondi. Thousands of people have visited the impromptu memorial, laying flowers. Former Prime Minister John Howard, who oversaw the 1996 gun law overhaul, also visited.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a record number of Australians registered to donate blood, with close to 50,000 appointments booked on Monday alone. A total of 7,810 donations of blood, plasma, and platelets were made across the country, with almost 1,300 first-time donors.