TNR News Network
DHARAMSHALA: New South Wales Police on Monday (December 15, 2025) said the d*eadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering near Sydney’s Bondi Beach in Australia was carried out by a father and his son, ruling out the involvement of any other attackers.
The police confirmed that the older man, aged 50, was shot d*ead at the scene during the operation, taking the overall d*eath toll to 16 (including the shooter). His 24-year-old son sustained gunshot injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital. The two were identified by Australian media as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram.
The authorities described the incident as a targeted antisemitic attack. Around 40 persons are still undergoing treatment, including two police officers who are listed as serious but stable. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.
Witnesses said panic spread rapidly as gunfire erupted at the crowded beachfront location, with the attack lasting roughly 10 minutes and sending hundreds fleeing across the sand and into nearby streets. The police said nearly 1,000 people had gathered at the Hanukkah event, held in a small park close to the beach.
Investigators said officers confronted the assailants during the incident, fatally shooting one while detaining the other, who was injured. NSW Police confirmed they were “satisfied” that only two offenders were involved and that no further suspects were being sought.
Australian media reported that Naveed Akram was arrested at the scene. His mother Verena told local outlets that her son had contacted the family earlier in the day while on holiday with his father and insisted he was not violent. She described him as a quiet individual who mostly kept to himself.
According to reports, the younger Akram, an Australian-born citizen, had been working as a bricklayer but lost his job about two months ago and was seeking employment. The Australian home affairs minister said the father had arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa.
US media, citing intelligence officials briefed on the probe, said the two men were likely of Pakistani origin. Police, however, said investigations into the motive are ongoing and have not yet confirmed whether the incident will be formally categorised as an act of terrorism.
