SYDNEY, Australia – A devastating shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach has left at least 29 people injured, including two police officers, following a violent rampage that police say involved a father and son. Authorities have confirmed the attack involved two individuals, with one 50-year-old perpetrator killed in a retaliatory operation and his 24-year-old son arrested after sustaining injuries. Police have announced the conclusion of their search for any additional suspects, reassuring the public that no further threats are believed to be active.
Explosive materials were reportedly discovered in the attackers’ vehicle, adding a chilling dimension to the incident. While Australian and British media have identified one of the attackers as Naveed Akram, a Sydney resident, details about the full motive are still emerging. The older assailant reportedly entered Australia on a student visa, with his son born in the country.
Amidst the chaos, a Muslim citizen named Ahmed has been hailed as a hero for his swift and courageous actions. Ahmed reportedly tackled one of the gunmen, sustaining injuries while attempting to disarm him. He is currently hospitalized but is stable, credited with potentially preventing further casualties, particularly within the Jewish community, as the attack occurred during a Jewish religious ceremony. Australia’s Muslim community has strongly condemned the violence, asserting that “there is no place for violent and criminal acts in society.”
The tragic event has prompted a wave of international condemnation and expressions of solidarity with Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “painful” and declared a day of national mourning, with national flags flown at half-mast.
Leaders worldwide have offered their condolences and denounced the violence. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief and sympathy, highlighting Pakistan’s own struggles with terrorism and offering full solidarity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed these condemnations.
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at a Christmas event, denounced the “horrific attack” and specifically condemned it as an “anti-Jewish attack.” French President Emmanuel Macron also conveyed his sorrow and condemnation. Similarly, British leaders, Canadian officials, Iran, Turkey, and Palestine have all condemned the violence and extended their sympathies to the victims and the Australian nation. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Israeli citizen was among those killed, further emphasizing the timing of the attack during a Jewish religious observance.
In the aftermath of the attack, a troubling trend of misinformation emerged on Indian and Afghan social media, with false allegations circulating that a Pakistani youth named Sheikh Naveed was one of the attackers. Sheikh Naveed quickly released a video statement to debunk these claims, explaining that his image was being used to spread falsehoods and that he had no connection to any acts of terrorism. He emphasized that the baseless propaganda had jeopardized his safety and reputation and appealed for an end to the defamatory campaign.
