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Australia and the world were shocked on the evening of December 14, 2025, when one of Australia’s most iconic locations was marred by a tragic shooting event.
16 people have lost their lives in the terrible incident, which occurred just over a year after the Bondi stabbings in April 2024.
With so many reports on what has happened circulating, here are the facts of what happened and how you can help your fellow Australians at this tragic time.
This report will be updated as more news comes out.
What happened in Bondi?
At 6.4opm AEDT, on Sunday, 14 December 2025, emergency services were called to Bondi Beach after multiple reports of two men with guns shooting at the crowds.
According to the NSW Ambulance Commissioner, Dominic Morgan, crews were on the scene in less than ten minutes.
It transpired that two men with long firearms shot into crowds and appeared to be aiming at a large group which had gathered for Chanukah by the Sea, an event organised by the Chabad of Bondi in Bondi Beach Park.
14 December is the first day of Chanukah, also called Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights.
The shooting appears to have occurred at the northern end of Bondi Beach, close to Bondi Park Playground. The two men were recorded shooting at crowds while on a footbridge in Bondi by bystanders.
Widely circulated footage of a man, later identified as a greengrocer and Syrian-Australian, Ahmed Al Ahmed, wrestling a firearm from one of the perpetrators was described as “unbelievable” bravery by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“[It shows] a man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people,” said Chris Minns of the video. “That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
When the police arrived, they located the two men with long firearms who were shooting into the crowd, a 50-year-old man, who was killed in a shoot-out with the police and a 24-year-old man who was injured in the shooting by the police and was taken to the hospital. His injuries were described by authorities as critical, and he is currently in the hospital under police guard.
NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, confirmed that the two men were father and son at a press conference. The father was a licensed gun owner with six firearms licensed to his name. Six firearms were recovered at the scene. The men were staying at an address in Campsie, but resided in Bonnyrigg. Both locations have been raided by police.
How many people have died?
As a result of their actions, 14 people died at the scene, and a further 42 people were injured. At the time of writing, the death toll has reached 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man who died at the hospital.
It is the most fatal mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur Massacre on 28 April 1996, when 35 people were killed by a lone shooter. The incident led to the development of strict gun control laws in Australia.
Two officers were injured in the incident. They, along with the rest of the victims, are in “serious but stable condition.”
The families of the police officers have released a statement:
“The families of the two injured officers wish to pass on their thoughts to the loved ones of those who were killed and injured in the Bondi shooting tragedy. They also want to express their heartfelt gratitude to all first responders who acted with courage, in particular the police officers and paramedics who responded. They also wish to thank their hospital team, and especially those in ICU. They thank the community for their support but have asked for privacy as their loved ones focus on recovery and healing.”
As the investigation is ongoing, the police have only publicly identified some of the victims. More information here.
What have the authorities said?
The police have cordoned off the area around where the event took place and have asked that members of the public avoid the area, including sending drones in to observe the investigation.
The event has been labelled an antisemitic terrorist attack by authorities and our political leaders. The shooting happened on the first day of Chanukkah.
“This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah, which, of course, should be a joyous celebration,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference. “The Jewish community are hurting today. Today, all Australians wrap our arms around them and say, we stand with you. We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.”
The federal police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) are working together on a joint counter-terrorism operation, Operation Arques, to determine the scope and reason behind this senseless tragedy. A separate operation, dubbed Operation Shelter, was also started by the NSW Police with the aim of providing support to the Jewish community.
“We will make sure that we are highly visible at places of worship, places that are known to be frequented by the Jewish community, but very much in those suburbs where we know that we have a large Jewish population,” stated NSW Commissioner Mal Lanyon at a press conference.
“This is a massive terrorist event in Australia’s largest city, targeted on Jewish Australians. We need to get to the bottom of exactly how this happened so that we can take steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns.
Commissioner Lanyon confirmed that two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also located at the scene and were removed by the rescue and bomb disposal unit.
“They were found to be active devices, so they were taken back and rendered safe by our police.”
On Wednesday, 17 December, the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team formally charged the 24-year-old man, alleged to be one of two gunmen responsible for the Bondi Beach mass shooting.
How can you help?
If you aren’t a frontline worker, it can feel like there is nothing you can do to help. That isn’t the case.
Support your community
You can be a steadfast supporter of your community. Reach out to neighbours, friends, and family. Let them know you are safe and ask if they need any support. This is a tragedy, and we should all lean on each other in this trying time.
Authorities have made a plea for calm. It is a time for the community to grieve and heal, not to look for retribution.
“I was very clear last night to call for calm. This is not a time for anyone to be seeking retribution. This is a time for community to grieve and to heal,” said Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner.
Many people have gathered to support and pray with one another for the victims at Bondi Pavilion, close to where the shooting took place.
Pause before you share images of the incident
Think before you share an image of an injured person on your social media account. Remember that there are families who are still searching for their loved ones who may have been caught up in the incident. Imagine finding out something horrible had happened from a stranger on the internet. Respect the victims and their families and only share information which the authorities and our political leaders have shared about the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities will update us as soon as they know more. You can follow NSW Police for updates on their social media accounts, such as Facebook and Instagram.
The police are appealing to anyone who has footage or images of the incident to upload them here to aid in the investigation.
Donate blood
If you are well and able, consider booking an appointment to donate blood. There are plenty of facilities all over the country. Even if your blood doesn’t go directly to help the victims of this terrible event, it will help save a life (or in fact three, as Lifeblood says). You can call them on 13 14 95 or book an appointment on the website here.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
