Bondi Beach shooting live updates: 11 dead after shooter targeted Australian Jewish community, officials say

Investigators have tentatively identified one of the attackers as Naveed Akram, according to three senior law enforcement officials in the U.S. and Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed his support for the Jewish community.

Australian prime minister to Jewish community: ‘We stand with you’

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"As Prime Minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community: We stand with you," Albanese said. We embrace you, and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe."

Several major U.S. cities are deploying police officers to synagogues following today's shooting in Australia at a Hanukkah event.

Miami Beach police said there are no credible threats to the city, but out of caution, they're deploying resources to "synagogues, schools, and other key locations citywide" to help keep residents and visitors safe.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he was "horrified by the images coming out of Australia."

"Innocent souls were taken by vile antisemitism and hate. May their memories be a blessing," Adams said.

Adams confirmed that there is no credible threat to New York City's Jewish community, but out of an abundance of caution, he is deploying "additional resources to Hanukkah celebrations and to synagogues."

"We will continue to ensure the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday in safety — including at public Menorah lightings across the city," he said. "Let us pray for the injured and stand together against hatred."

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a similar statement on X, saying the force will provide "extra patrols at Jewish facilities, schools, synagogues, and at Hanukkah events throughout the city."

Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was identified as one of at least 11 victims killed in today's attack.

His wife, Larisa Kleytman, also a Holocaust survivor, confirmed his death to The Australian, saying she heard loud "boom" sounds before seeing him fall to the ground.

"He came on Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah, for us it was always a very, very good celebration, for many, many years," Larisa Kleytman told the outlet.

Alex Kleytman survived the Holocaust with his mother and younger brother in Siberia, The Australian reported. He and his wife later immigrated to Australia from Ukraine and had been married for nearly 60 years.

Larisa Kleytman said she's looking for answers after the attack.

“His body is still there and I am sitting there and don’t know what I have to do," she said.

A man who disarmed a gunman during a deadly attack at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach on Sunday has been hailed as a “genuine hero” by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

Video appears to show moment Bondi Beach shooter is disarmed

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Dramatic video verified by NBC News appears to show multiple shooters and the moment that a man holding a gun is disarmed by another individual.

In the footage, a man in a white T-shirt crouches behind a parked car before rushing one of the alleged shooters from behind. After a brief struggle, he wrestles the weapon away. The shooter then backs away before the man places the weapon beside a palm tree.

Read the full story here.

Targeted shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach leaves multiple dead

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Australian authorities are calling this a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community as it was celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

At least 11 people were killed when the two gunmen opened fire with long guns, officials said. One of the shooters was killed, a second gunman is in custody in critical condition, and authorities said they are now investigating whether a third individual was involved.

There's a massive crime scene along Bondi Beach now, where police will be looking for firearms. Guns are quite unusual in Australia, which has one of the lowest gun death rates of any country.

That's partly because of a major gun massacre in 1996 where more than 30 people were killed, pushing the Australian government to enact a wave of gun laws. There was an enormous gun buyback scheme, and it's now difficult to buy weapons in Australia, which is part of the reason this is so shocking.

Investigators will be scouring the social media accounts of the people who were involved, they will be looking at the weapons, and they will be looking at vehicles found near the scene, authorities said.

A rabbi who helped organize a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach has been named among the 11 people killed in the attack.

Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement, identified Rabbi Eli Schlanger among the deceased, though police have yet to publicly identify any of the victims.

In a post on X, Chabad said Schlanger had served as rabbi and chaplain in the Bondi community for 18 years, since marrying his wife, Chaya.

The post quoted the rabbi's recent warnings against antisemitism, adding: "He recently said in the face of darkness, the way forward is to 'be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish.'”

"We share in the sorrow of the families and of the entire Jewish community of Sydney. Their pain is our pain; their anguish is our anguish," Chabad emissary Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov said in an email to members.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales have released statements about today's attack on Bondi Beach’s Jewish community.

King Charles and Queen Camilla said they are "appalled and saddened" by the attack, adding that their hearts go out to those who were affected, including first responders who were injured while protecting members of the community.

"In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve," Charles said in the statement. "I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia — and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival — will always triumph over the darkness of such evil."

Prince William and Princess Kate said their thoughts "are with every Australian," following the attack.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief," the statement read.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned today’s attack at Bondi Beach, saying “antisemitism has no place in this world.”

“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration,” he said in a post on X. “Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.”

FBI director Kash Patel said: "I have been in touch with our counterparts in Australia regarding the horrific attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney — we are providing the requested assistance and will update with more information as we are able. Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers."

A number of “suspicious items” have been found in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting where hundreds had gathered for an event to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, the Australian Associated Press has reported.

Police say they are working to disarm what they have described as an improvised explosive device, while an object believed to be an explosive device was removed from a car close to the beach.

“A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place,” New South Wales police said in a statement at 9 p.m. local time.

Video appears to show moment Bondi Beach shooter is disarmed

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A dramatic video verified by NBC News shows the moment that one of the suspected gunmen was disarmed by a bystander.

The man in civilian clothes runs up and tackles the suspected gunman, wrestling a gun out of his hands after a brief tussle. The suspected shooter then backs away.

Local leaders are hailing what they say were extraordinary acts of personal courage by people who jumped in at the scene.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns earlier paid tribute to the bystander. “I’ve got no doubt there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery,” he said.

London’s Metropolitan Police force has increased community patrols to reassure Jewish people in the British capital following today’s attack on Bondi Beach.

“While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days,” the police force said in a statement.

“At a time when London’s Jewish communities are coming together to begin the celebration of Hannukah, we know this attack will be the cause of not just terrible upset but also significant heightened concern about safety,” it added.

World leaders have sent their thoughts and condolences to the families and victims of the attack at Bondi Beach today.

"France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones," French President Emmanuel Macron said on X. "We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes."

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the two nations were "family," adding that the "thoughts of all New Zealanders" were with those affected.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the news from Australia was "deeply distressing."

"The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi beach," he posted on X.

The terror attack at Bondi Beach is "abhorrent," Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said, sending her "deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones tonight."

"Terrorism, antisemitism, violence and hate have no place in Australia," she said.

"We hope for the full recovery of all injured and we stand in solidarity with the Australian Jewish community."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the "heinous deadly attack" on Jewish families gathered in Sydney.

"My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hannukah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness," he posted on X.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said after the attack at Bondi Beach today that the country will eradicate "hate, violence and terrorism."

"As prime minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community, 'We stand with you,'" he said at a press conference, calling the attack an "act of evil antisemitism."

"We embrace you and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe," he added.

Albanese said that a national security committee had been convened as a matter of urgency this evening.

"There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear: We will eradicate it," he said.

Dramatic video verified by NBC News appears to show the alleged shooters and the moment that one of the gunmen is disarmed.

A man in civilian clothes crouching behind a car tackles one of the shooters from behind, before taking his weapon from him. The shooter flees, before the man places the weapon beside a palm tree.

A shoot-out continues as a gunman on a bridge fires shot after shot toward people trying to stop them.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns paid tribute to the man who disarmed the shooter.

“That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery,” he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack on Bondi Beach as a "very cruel attack on Jews," as officials said the attack was targeting the Jewish community.

"The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives," he said at an event recognizing the achievements of immigrants to Israel.

“We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem,” he added.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has designated the event a terrorist incident.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon could not confirm the ages of the victims but said he does believe a child was transported to hospital.

“This is a really fluid situation,” he said.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has designated the attack at Bondi Beach a terrorist incident.

There will be a “significant investigation” led by counterterrorism, he said at a press conference, adding that “no stone will be left unturned.”

He said 29 people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers.

There were over 1,000 people in attendance tonight celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Lanyon added.

An event to mark the first day of the holiday was taking place on Bondi Beach.

"When I asked for calm, that is really important," he said. "This is not a time for retribution. This is a time to allow the police to do their duty. So police are responding to make sure that all of the community is safe."

At least 11 people have been killed in the attack at Bondi Beach, according to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

"This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney," he said at a press conference.

One of the alleged shooters is also reported to have been killed.

"This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack."

The Australian National Imams Council has condemned the shooting, urging Australians to "stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its forms."

"The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the Council of Imams NSW and the Australian Muslim community unequivocally condemn the horrific shootings in Bondi," it said in a statement posted on X.

"These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society," the statement added. "Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law."

"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack," it continued.

With 10 people confirmed dead by police, the attack at Bondi Beach becomes the deadliest shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur attack in 1996, when 35 people were killed and dozens more were injured.

In that attack, a lone gunman opened fire in the town on the island of Tasmania. The attack prompted the government to introduce some of the world's strictest gun control measures, after which the number of gun attacks dropped drastically.

Ten people have died in the shooting, including a man believed to be one of the shooters, New South Wales police said in a statement. The second alleged shooter is in critical condition, the statement added.

“At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers,” it said. “A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place.”

The statement said that an extensive crime scene had been established and there were no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to the incident.

Australia’s opposition leader, Sussan Ley, said “hateful violence” has struck Bondi and that the nation was “in deep mourning tonight.”

“The loss of life from this attack is significant and I join with the Prime Minister in urging all Australians to follow official advice from police and relevant authorities,” she said in a statement posted on X, adding that the attack occurred as “our Jewish community came together at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration.”

“This was a celebration of peace and hope for the future, severed by hate,” the statement added.

An independent Australian lawmaker whose electorate includes Bondi Beach has called events at Bondi Beach "horrifying."

"This is not the Australia that we know and love," Allegra Spender posted on X. "I know our community will come together but this is devastating to all of us."

Footage from Bondi Beach verified by NBC News shows hundreds of people fleeing the area, many of them carrying towels, beach bags and even surfboards, as sirens blare and the apparent sound of gunshots can be heard in the distance.

An event to mark the first day of the Jewish celebration Hanukkah was taking place on Bondi Beach, according to a digital flyer for an event named Chanuka by the Sea 2025.

The flyer shows the event was scheduled to take place near the beach’s children’s playground from 5 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) on Sunday.

The event, organized by the Jewish center Chabad of Bondi, lists live entertainment, music, games and activities “for all ages.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the scenes at Bondi Beach "shocking and distressing," adding that police and emergency responders were on the ground "working to save lives."

"My thoughts are with every person affected," he said in a statement posted on X. "I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW police."

New South Wales police have confirmed there are no incidents elsewhere, including at Dover Heights, noting there has been some misinformation spreading.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is "aware of an active security situation in Bondi," the leader's spokesperson said in a statement shared by Reuters.

“We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police,” the statement added.

It is unclear if anyone has been injured.

Two people have been taken into custody as New South Wales police responded to an incident at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach, with local media reporting shots fired at the popular tourist destination.

“The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” the NSW Police Force said on X.

“Anyone at the scene should take shelter,” it said in an earlier post. “Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand.”

National broadcaster ABC is reporting that police are responding to reports of an active shooter at the site, while The Sydney Morning Herald is citing reports of “multiple shots fired” at Bondi.

Australian broadcaster 7News reports that locals reported hearing shots fired and seeing hundreds fleeing the beach.