By Amofokhai Williams
At least 11 people were killed on Sunday evening after gunmen opened fire at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in an attack that authorities say targeted Australia’s Jewish community, shattering calm at one of the country’s most iconic locations.
The Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, confirmed the death toll at a late-night press conference, adding that one of the perpetrators was also killed during the incident, while another suspect remains in custody.
“This was a targeted attack on the Jewish community,” Minns said, describing the incident as a deeply disturbing act of violence.
Police said the shooting occurred near Bondi Pavilion during a busy summer evening when the beach was crowded with families, swimmers and visitors. Emergency services rushed to the scene as gunshots sent people fleeing in panic.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the sound of gunfire echoed across the beachfront.
“It sounded like fireworks at first,” beachgoer Belinda Clemens told CNN. “Then it became clear it was a shooting because people were running in either direction.”
Clemens said she saw bullets hitting the water, sending sprays into the air, while some swimmers chose to remain at sea, clinging to surfboards in fear of returning to the shore.
“Some people swam further out because they were scared to come back,” she said, adding that she lent her phone to frightened children trying to contact their parents. “It’s a family area. It’s really upsetting.”
Another eyewitness, Harry Wilson, told local media he saw “at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere,” as emergency workers struggled to reach victims.
New South Wales Police later confirmed that one shooter was dead and another was in critical condition. Eleven people were injured in the attack, including two police officers.
Authorities said a number of suspicious items were discovered nearby and were being examined by specialist officers, prompting the establishment of an exclusion zone.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes as “shocking and distressing,” assuring the public that police and emergency responders were “on the ground working to save lives.”
Videos circulating on social media showed people scattering across the sand as sirens wailed and police helicopters hovered overhead. Residents in the area were urged to take shelter as security forces secured the scene.
The attack has sent shockwaves across Australia, a country where mass shootings are rare, particularly in public spaces like Bondi Beach.
Jewish community leaders expressed grief and outrage, noting that the attack occurred during celebrations of Hanukkah, a period traditionally associated with light and peace.
Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack and whether additional suspects were involved.
