Sydney (Rajeev Sharma): Australian investigators have confirmed that a mass shooting at a Jewish cultural gathering near Sydney’s Bondi Beach was carried out by two related suspects, a father and his son, ruling out the involvement of any additional assailants.
New South Wales Police said the violence erupted on Sunday evening during a Hanukkah event held in a park close to the popular beachfront. The gathering, attended by about 1,000 people, turned chaotic when gunfire broke out, forcing crowds to run for safety along the shoreline and into nearby streets.
Authorities said the older suspect, aged 50, was shot and killed by police during the incident, bringing the total number of fatalities to 16. His 24-year-old son was wounded and later taken into custody. He remains in critical condition in hospital.
The pair were named by Australian media as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. Federal officials confirmed that the father migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while the son was born in the country and is an Australian citizen.
Emergency services reported that at least 40 people are still receiving treatment in hospitals, including two police officers who were injured while confronting the attackers. Medical staff said the officers are in serious but stable condition. Victims of the shooting range from children to elderly adults, with ages between 10 and 87.
Police described the incident as a targeted antisemitic attack. Senior investigators said officers responded rapidly, engaging the suspects during the shooting and preventing further loss of life. “We are satisfied that only two individuals were responsible and that there is no ongoing threat related to this incident,” a police spokesperson said at a media briefing.
International media outlets, citing U.S. intelligence sources, have reported that the suspects were of Pakistani origin. Australian authorities have not officially confirmed their background and have cautioned against circulating unverified information online.
The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and officials have not yet determined whether the shooting will be legally classified as terrorism. In response, security has been stepped up around Jewish institutions and community events across New South Wales.
Government leaders and community representatives condemned the attack, calling it a hateful act that has deeply shaken the nation. Authorities urged the public to remain calm and allow investigators to complete their work as the city mourns the victims and supports those injured.
