Bondi Beach shooting timeline: What happened?
At least 12 people are dead and 29 others injured, including two police officers, after two gunmen opened fire on a packed crowd at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.
The chaotic and deadly scene unfolded just after 6.40pm on the first night of the Jewish festival Hanukkah, as hundreds of people gathered along the beachfront for celebrations.
6.47pm: Shots ring out
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People were seen running from the beach toward Campbell Parade, while some took cover behind cars and buildings. Others, including bystanders, began performing CPR on the wounded.
Footage showed a gunman dressed in a dark top and white pants repeatedly firing a rifle near the beach as sirens wailed. At one point, the man appeared to stop and reload as screams echoed through the chaos.
Witnesses said at least two men clad in black were seen firing from the pedestrian bridge linking Campbell Parade and Bondi Pavilion.
What had begun as a peaceful community celebration, with families dancing, eating sweets, and children climbing a rock wall, turned into a scene of carnage in just seconds.
NSW Police riot squad sent in
About three dozen police vehicles and ambulances flocked to north Bondi.
Police helicopters soared overhead as residents were cautioned away from the beachfront.The riot squad was also deployed.
Beachgoers take shelter
Footage surfaced online of hundreds of people running for their lives in Bondi.
Civilian tackles gunman
A bystander showed extraordinary bravery, wrestling a rifle away from one of the alleged gunmen near the Campbell Parade car park. Footage from the scene captured the moment, which police and witnesses said may have saved lives.
7.30pm: Confronting interview
Vladimir Kotlyar, who described himself as a local chaplain, was caught in the middle of the gunfire.
“I was right in the middle of it, guys. They were shooting us like we were enemy,” he told Seven News reporter Chris Reason in a live television interview from the scene.
In a very confronting interview he described the tragic scene.
“This is Bondi. This is Australia. I left Soviet Union as a refugee. I came here as a refugee. Just to get that.”
Kotlyar said he had been helping the wounded when Reason noticed blood on his shirt. “I was helping people out,” he said. “There’s a lot more than dozens. Dead, Rabbi. Dead. Kids hurt. What can I tell you?”
He described the moment he shielded his eight-year-old son as gunfire erupted.
“I was lying on top of my son,” he said. “Then another injured guy fell on top of me... My son’s okay. The injured guy is okay. I’m okay.”
Kotlyar said he saw “two gunmen” firing rifles and a shotgun indiscriminately into the crowd. “Whoever they could get. Whatever they can get. Old people, young people, brains blown out. Just like in the movie. In Bondi.”
He told Reason he had tried to save a wounded security guard shot in the shoulder and saw two girls hit, “one probably around 12, the other even younger”.
“This was a Jewish festival of celebration,” he said. “Bringing the light into darkness. The darkness came to us today, to Australia, to Bondi Beach, to Sydney.”
Police move in
Specialist police units established an exclusion zone around the beach after locating several suspicious items in the vicinity. Officers later confirmed they were examining what appears to be an improvised explosive device (IED).
A police officer and a member of the public were seen helping victims near the sand as first responders treated multiple patients under floodlights.
NSW Police confirmed that 10 people had died which was updated to 12 people at a 10pm press conference. That includes a man believed to be one of the shooters. A second alleged shooter was in critical condition and taken into custody.
Two police officers were among the injured, and at least 29 patients have been transported to hospitals across Sydney.
Scene of grief and devastation
As paramedics and officers worked, scenes of heartbreak emerged. Footage online showed deceased people scattered while civilians and emergency services worked on the injured, including CPR.
Dozens of overwhelmed people gave interviews live to media outlets.
What event was taking place?
More than 100 Jewish Sydneysiders were attending the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration when the attack began.
Reactions and investigation
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the Jewish community was reeling from a “horrific act of violence” during what should have been a sacred moment of celebration.
“This is a day of profound grief,” Mr Leibler said. “Members of our community have been murdered. Others have been seriously injured. Families are shattered. A sacred moment of light has been turned into darkness. An attack on Jews celebrating their faith is an attack on Australia itself.”
Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told Sky News the Hanukkah event was packed with families. “If it was a targeted attack on the Jewish community, then it was our worst fears realised,” he said.
Government response
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the situation as “deeply distressing” and urged the public to follow official advice. “Police and emergency services are responding, and the public should follow official advice. We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available,” he said.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the government was aware of an active security situation at Bondi Beach and echoed police calls for people to avoid the area.
Ongoing threat and police action
Late on Sunday night, police reiterated that Bondi Beach remained closed as they worked to disarm the suspected explosive device. “There is an ongoing bomb threat in the area,” NSW police confirmed, urging people to stay clear of the exclusion zone.
Authorities warned the public to be cautious about misinformation circulating online and confirmed there were no reports of similar incidents elsewhere in Sydney.
10pm: Emergency services, NSW Premier press conference
Around 10pm authorities provided an update, confirming at least 12 people are dead and 29 are injured.“Horrible acts of violence will not be tolerated,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“In fact, every Australian that lives in this state that these horrible acts of violence will never be tolerated. And anyone who perpetrates them, we will throw the book at anyone who’s thinking about it will be thoroughly investigated.”
“This is a terrible night for Sydney, but I think it’s important to say we can’t let these evil people divide Australia up.”
10.15pm: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese update
Prime Minister Anthoy Albanese said “we will eradicate” this type of violence that is “beyond anyone’s worst nightmare”.
“There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the sea celebration.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, anti-Semitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian and every Australian. Tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.”
