Police confirm alleged Bondi shooters were father and son
NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirms the two alleged offenders – a 50-year-old man and 24-year-old man – were father and son.
The father was shot dead by police, while the son is in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Lanyon says police are not looking for a further offender.
As part of the investigation, we conducted two search warrants last night, one at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie. The 50-year-old male is a licensed firearms holder. He has six firearms licensed to him.
Updated at 16.23 EST
Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
New Zealand media reports its government has increased security measures for the Jewish community in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
New Zealand prime minister, Christopher Luxon, says he has contacted Anthony Albanese and released a statement to X, condemning the attack:
Hanukah is a time of peace and joy, not pain and grief. This vile act of hatred is something all New Zealanders condemn.
Luxon said New Zealand police are meeting with Jewish community leaders to give them reassurances around the extra security.
The NZ ministry of foreign affairs and trade has said it is not aware of any New Zealanders involved in the attack.
Surf life saving NSW says its community and volunteers are in shock and deeply saddened after the shooting attack.
In a statement, SLS NSW said volunteer lifesavers provided first aid, and helped move people to safety while the attack was underway.
They said no lifesavers were physically injured during the attack, and offered their condolences to the families and communities who have lost loved ones.
Not surprisingly, many volunteer lifesavers acted immediately to respond, providing first aid including CPR, to injured victims, shepherding people to safety inside both the Bondi and North Bondi Surf Life Saving Clubs while the attack was still underway and giving assistance to emergency services.
Our surf clubs have, and should always be, places of safe haven and yesterday’s tragedy will no doubt galvanise our members to come together, support each other and their community in solidarity against terror and fear.
Share
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Albanese visits scene of Bondi beach attack
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is visiting the scene of last night’s mass shooting at Bondi beach.
Albanese lay a bouquet of flowers outside Bondi Pavilion, pausing briefly in memory of the victims of the atrocity.
Earlier, Albanese met with police at Bondi police station after holding an early morning press conference with the NSW premier, Chris Minns, and the NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon.
Updated at 16.48 EST
Burns says minimisation of targeting Jewish people must be tackled ‘head-on’
Burns says there has been a “dehumanisation” of the Jewish community over the past two years.
He tells ABC News Breakfast there needs to be not only legislative responses but also cultural changes to stop antisemitism.
Burns says he has seen the minimisation or legitimisation of attacks on Jewish institutions and the Jewish community.
Too often, you have instances where people are allowed to dehumanise one another in the context of political debate and in the context of difficult discussions …
When we talk about what the legislative responses might be … I think what’s really important is that it’s not only legislative responses that obviously will inevitably have to come, but also cultural ones where we are stamping out in our institutions the minimisation of targeting of Jewish people, the minimising of or legitimising targeting Jewish institutions, and legitimising of targeting Jewish people and this is something that, especially on the progressive side of politics, we need to confront head-on.
Updated at 16.46 EST
‘This will tear apart the Jewish community,’ Labor MP says
Federal Labor MP Josh Burns says last night’s attack is “one of the most awful things I can remember”.
Burns, who is Jewish, tells ABC News Breakfast that the Jewish community has been “really worried about this for a long time”.
For terror to have occurred in the way in which it has and for people who have lost their lives, including a 12-year-old girl, a Rabbi, and this will tear apart the Jewish community in Sydney and across the country and clearly across the world as well …
You can’t go to a Jewish school or to a Jewish community organisation in Australia without there being some form of security and even to some extent there’s armed guards outside of schools. So it’s a daily reality for Jewish communities in Australia that we were always nervous and about this could happen.
Burns says the Australian community must honour and respect those who have been killed, and “work out how do we prevent this ever happening again”.
Updated at 16.39 EST
Benita Kolovos
More tributes for French national killed
More tributes have poured in for victim Dan Elkayam, who the French government confirmed had died in yesterday’s shooting.
In a post on Instagram, Arncliffe Aurora Football Club, in southern Sydney, said Elkayam was a member of their premier league squad for the upcoming 2026 season. It went on:
Dan was a valued and deeply respected member of our football community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and all those who loved him during this unimaginably difficult time.
We extend our deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with everyone affected by this tragedy. Out of respect for Dan and his loved ones, we ask that privacy and compassion be shown as they grieve.
Dan will always remain part of our club.
Updated at 16.38 EST
Plibersek confirms cabinet to meet this morning
Tanya Plibersek says she was at a Hanukah in the Park event in Newtown last night when the attack occurred, and attendees were all told to disperse.
The attack occurred at a Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi beach last night.
Speaking to Sunrise this morning, the cabinet minister and member for Sydney said she and her children had been to that same event many times in past years.
This is an act of evil done by evil people. I’ve been to Hanukah by the Sea many times. I’ve taken my kids there. Last night I was at Hanukah in the Park in Newtown when the message came through that there’d been a security incident at Bondi. No more detail than that, but we had to disperse.
Plibersek also confirmed the federal cabinet will meet this morning. Asked whether the terror level needs to be changed, she says she has no doubt the cabinet will discuss it.
Updated at 16.35 EST
Bondi shooting press conference recap
-
Police confirmed the alleged gunmen, one 50-year-old and one 24-year-old, were father and son – the older man was shot dead by police on Sunday while the younger man remains in hospital with injuries. Police are not looking for any other suspects.
-
The two men were staying at an address in Campsie in south-west Sydney.
-
There were two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found at the scene that were active but not detonated, and were taken and rendered safe by police.
-
Two police officers are in a critical but stable position in hospital.
-
NSW premier Chris Minns said his government is already looking at law reform around gun control.
-
Police will increase their presence today around Jewish places of worship and other areas where the Jewish community frequent.
-
Police say they are still investigating any motives or ideologies of the two men, and would not discuss any further details.
-
Anthony Albanese called the attack a “pure act of evil” and said the government will “dedicate every single resource that is required” to respond.
NSW premier Chris Minns (centre), PM Anthony Albanese and minister for police and counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley at a press conference in Sydney, Monday, 15 December, 2025. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 16.28 EST
Here’s what we know after the terror attack so far:
What we know about the Bondi beach attack so far – video reportShare
Updated at 16.12 EST
Update on shooting victims taken to Sydney hospitals
NSW health has provided an update on the status of patients transferred to Sydney hospitals after last night’s attack.
Police confirmed earlier that 14 died at the scene, and another two people died in hospital overnight – bringing the death toll to 16.
One of those who died overnight was a child, who passed away at the Sydney Children’s hospital. The other person who died overnight passed away at the Royal Prince Alfred hospital.
-
12 patients are in a stable condition at Prince of Wales hospital
-
One patient is in a critical condition and two are in a stable condition at St George hospital
-
One patient is in a stable condition at Sutherland hospital
-
One patient is in a critical condition at Sydney Eye hospital
-
Three patients are in a critical condition, five patients are in a stable condition, and two patients were treated and discharged at St Vincent’s hospital
-
Three patients are in a critical but stable condition, one patient is in a critical condition, one patient is in a stable condition, and one is yet to be assessed at Royal Prince Alfred hospital
-
One patient is in a critical condition and two patients are in a stable condition at Sydney Children’s hospital, Randwick
-
One patient is in a critical but stable condition and one is in a stable condition at Royal North Shore hospital
-
Two patients are in a stable condition at Liverpool hospital
Updated at 16.10 EST
Alex Ryvchin says Bondi beach attack has ‘fundamentally changed’ Australia
Things will always be different now for the Jewish community, says co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin.
He tells ABC News Breakfast he and his 12-year-old daughter have been at the Chanukah festival every year, but did not go to the event last night.
He says the shooting has “fundamentally changed this country”.
This stops life, this destroys worlds. Things will always be different for us. Things can’t go back to normal. It’s fundamentally changed this country.
Ryvchin says one of his dearest friends was one of the victims of last night’s shooting, and was a person “who personified goodness and godliness and holiness, a person who lived literally for no reason other than to do good deeds”.
Updated at 16.04 EST
‘We will do whatever is necessary’ to stamp out antisemitism, Albanese says
Anthony Albanese says the government will continue to stand with Jewish Australians and stamp out antisemitism.
NSW premier Chris Minns (left) and prime minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference after Bondi Beach shooting, Monday, 15 December, 2025. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
He’s asked whether the government has failed to help the Jewish community who have faced antisemitic attacks. Albanese says he’s spoken to members of the Jewish community.
We need wrap our arms around Australians. We stand with them, we stand against antisemitism, we will do whatever is necessary to stamp it out. Antisemitism is a scourge. It’s been around for a long period of time. We need to do whatever we can to stamp it out.
The press conference ends there.
Updated at 16.16 EST
Police confirm two active improvised explosive devices retrieved by bomb disposal unit
NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirms there were two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which were active and found at the scene.
There were two IEDs found at the scene, they were taken by our rescue and bomb disposal unit. They were found to be active devices. So, they were taken back and rendered safe by our police who do a professional job.
Lanyon says he’s “very glad” those devices were not activated.
Asked how they could have been triggered, Lanyon says police are investigating thoroughly and “will get to the bottom of this”.
Updated at 15.57 EST
Law reform ‘almost certain’ after Bondi attack, Chris Minns says
NSW premier Chris Minns there will “almost certainly” be law reform on gun licenses following this terrorist attack.
He’s asked whether there was a failure over the father being able to get a gun license, and both men not being detected by authorities ahead of the attack.
Minns says he “can’t say at this point” whether there was a failure, and that the police will conduct their investigation.
We’re looking at [this] right now …
There be a comprehensive inquiry. This is a massive terrorist event in Australia’s largest city, targeted on Jewish Australians. We need to get to the bottom of exactly how it happened so we can take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
I think in these circumstances it’s important that no stone is left unturned and New South Wales police are given time to conduct that investigation, but we have to do everything we possibly can to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. Part of that may be law reform, almost certainly it will be. Part of it will be a comprehensive police response, but it also goes down to the level of confronting racism and antisemitism in our community.
NSW premier Chris Minns (right) and prime minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference after Bondi shooting, Monday, 15 December, 2025. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 16.16 EST
Nothing to indicate alleged shooters had planned attack, police say
Police won’t yet confirm any motivations behind the attack, and say that they’re looking at that as part of the investigation.
Police commissioner Mal Lanyon also says there was nothing “to indicate that either of the men involved in yesterday’s attack was planning the attack”.
He confirms that the 50-year-old alleged shooter is deceased, and had held a gun license for ten years.
Lanyon also says that there was “very limited knowledge” of the younger man, who authorities have said was known to Asio, Australia’s spy agency.
We have investigators working around the clock. I’m incredibly proud of the work undertaken so far. We want to understand the motives behind it. We certainly want to understand the actions that have happened. I cannot give a running commentary on the investigation …
They were staying at an address in Campsie. Their residence is in Bonnyrigg.
Updated at 16.23 EST
Ambulance chief says team used lessons from Bondi Westfield attack
NSW Ambulance commissioner, Dominic Morgan, says more than 123 personnel from NSW Ambulance were part of last night’s response. The first ambulance crews were on the scene in less than ten minutes, he says.
He says there were some “amazing lessons” learned from the Bondi Westfield shopping centre attack, which helped emergency services respond effectively last night.
There was some amazing lessons learned from the Bondi Westfield shopping centre. Last night, I’m told the command structures were seamless. The joint agency approach, the ability for paramedics with the support of police to work in these hot zones, I’m convinced contributed to the saving of lives that otherwise would have been lost.
Updated at 15.47 EST
Police will be ‘highly visible’ at Jewish places of worship
Lanyon says police have commenced “Operation Shelter” this morning, and there will be 328 officers on the ground at Bondi this morning.
The police commissioner says police will be “highly visible” at places of worship and other places that are known to be frequented by the Jewish community.
Lanyon also urges the public to remain calm.
Operation Shelter is designed to provide comfort to the Jewish community. We’ll make sure we’re highly visible at places of worship, places that are known to be frequented by the Jewish community, but very much in those suburbs we know we have a large Jewish population. I want to make it very clear the New South Wales police will not tolerate the types of violence or the types of antisemitic behaviour we have seen …
I was very clear last night to call for calm. This is not a time for anyone to be seeking retribution. This is a time for the community to grieve and to heal.
Updated at 15.37 EST
Police confirm alleged Bondi shooters were father and son
NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirms the two alleged offenders – a 50-year-old man and 24-year-old man – were father and son.
The father was shot dead by police, while the son is in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Lanyon says police are not looking for a further offender.
As part of the investigation, we conducted two search warrants last night, one at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie. The 50-year-old male is a licensed firearms holder. He has six firearms licensed to him.
Updated at 16.23 EST
Anthony Albanese says Bondi attack was ‘act of pure evil’
Minns thanks the emergency service workers and innocent bystanders and civilians who stood up to “save other peoples’ lives”.
This is a terrible wanton act of destructive violence but we still have amazing people in Australia and they showed their true colours last night.
Anthony Albanese stands up next and describes the terror attack as an “act of pure evil”, and promises to dedicate “every single resource” to respond.
What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores. In iconic Australian location. That’s associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations.
We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism. It is a scourge and we’ll eradicate it together. The Australian Federal Police and Asio are working closely with New South Wales authorities and the briefing we’ve just had, we’ve had the AFP there and the AFP commissioner will return to Australia today. We’ll dedicate every single resource that is required in responding to this.
Albanese says world leaders including Donald Trump, French president Emmanuel Macron and UK prime minister Keir Starmer have reached out to him to express their sympathies.
Updated at 15.32 EST