SYDNEY, Australia — Authorities have confirmed that the Bondi Beach mass shooting, which left 15 people dead during a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.” The announcement was made Tuesday by Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett.
The suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24. The older man was shot dead at the scene, while his son remains hospitalized. Officials revealed their ideological motivations during a joint news conference with political and law enforcement leaders.
Casualties and Heroism
- 25 people are still being treated in hospitals, including 10 in critical condition and three children.
- Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.
- One man was captured on video tackling and disarming an assailant, preventing further casualties.
Political Response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state leaders pledged to tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws, in what could be the most sweeping reforms since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which killed 35 people. Mass shootings in Australia have been rare since those reforms.
Investigation
Authorities disclosed that the suspects had traveled to the Philippines last month, with investigators probing the purpose of the trip. A vehicle registered to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags, according to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
The attack has raised urgent questions about antisemitism, community protection, and how the suspects were able to plan and carry out the massacre.