Bondi shooting as it happened: 11 killed, gunman dead, another in custody as massacre declared terrorism

We’re wrapping up our live coverage for the evening, but here are the key points you need to know following the awful events of today.

• Two gunmen opened fire at Bondi beach early on Sunday evening, killing 11 innocent people, in what is believed to be a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. (Read the full report here).
• One gunman was killed at the scene while another is injured and in police custody.
• A hero bystander risked his life to wrestle a gun off one of the shooters and ended up getting shot himself.
• Political leaders were quick to condemn the attack, but the Prime Minister has already faced criticism for his handling of anti-Semitisim within Australia.
• Muslim leaders called for a united stand against violence in the wake of the shooting.

Here’s a timeline of the day’s events, and here are some of the astonishing pictures from the scene of what is usually a world-renowned tourist hotspot.

We’ll be back in just a few hours with more rolling coverage.

Thanks for joining us.

One of the gunmen involved in the terrorist attack has been identified by the ABC as Naveed Akram.

Mr Akram, who is from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s west, is understood to have worked as a bricklayer.

Earlier tonight, police in Sydney’s west raided Mr Akram’s home in Bonnyrigg.

Video that surfaced earlier tonight purportedly showed people gathering at Mr Akram’s home as police stood guard outside.

This picture below from the scene shows Mr Akram on the bridge where the shooting took place.

A full 10-minute video of the shooting has been released on X.

We’ve embedded it below but be warned, the content is disturbing.

From the editorial desk tonight:

It is without doubt our worst nightmare come true.

The festive atmosphere of a hot Sunday evening, less than two weeks before Christmas, at Australia’s most iconic and popular beach.

Thousands of innocent people enjoying the sunshine and the sand.

Nearby, hundreds of members of Sydney’s Jewish community commemorating the start of one of Judaism’s most important festivals, Chanukah. Then, the unimaginable.

Gunshots ring out. Panic and confusion ensues. The images are hard to believe.

Read the full editorial here.

This just in - the hero bystander who stopped one of the gunmen has been identified as a local father-of-two.

From Taylor Renouf:

The man who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach shooters has been identified as Ahmed AlAhmed.

The father-of-two has been hailed a hero after pouncing on one of the gunmen and wrestling a rifle from his arms.

In the process, Alahmed was shot twice by the second gunman who was positioned on a nearby bridge.

More on this story here.

The Nightly columnist Jeni O’Dowd was sitting at home watching TV when she received a text from her daughter that no parent should ever get.

Her daughter had gone to Bondi beach for the day and was under the very bridge where the shooting took place just minutes beforehand.

Read Jeni’s full column here.

Shocking news from the scene of today’s terror attack, with one man revealing he had previously been caught up in the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.

From Newswire:

A man who survived the October 7 attacks has described the moment he saw “blood gushing” from him after he was wounded in the Bondi Beach shooting.

It is understood a Chanukkah event was the target of the attack, which police sources believe had been planned for months.

“I survived October 7 ... we came here only two weeks ago, to work with the Jewish community to fight anti-Semitism,” he said.

“I never thought I would see this in Australia.”

Read the full story here.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said they were working to confirm reports of an injured child at the scene of the terrorist attack.

He also said they were unable to confirm that there was a third suspect.

We’ll continue to bring you all the latest information as it comes to hand.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he and his government take antisemitism seriously, saying work is going ahead after a report was delivered.

“We’re continuing to work on all of those issues (in the report), including one of the things that you’ll see is a request that had previously been made to be included in additional funding for security,” Mr Albanese said.

Asked if he had taken the threat of antisemitism in Australia seriously, Mr Albanese said “yes”.

“We have taken it seriously and we’ve continued to act,” MR Albanese said.

“We’ve continued to work with Jewish community leaders. We’ve continued to take all the advice from the security agencies to put in place special measures, and will continue to do so.”

“As Prime Minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community, we stand with you,” Mr 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.

“You have the right to worship and study and live and work in peace and safety. And you enrich us as a nation.

“You should never have to endure the loss that you have suffered today. You should never know the fear that you know.

“Tonight, we will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected.

“You are Australian and all Australians are with you today and every day.”

The Prime Minister said families are tonight dealing with something worse than a nightmare.

“The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare,” Mr Albanese said.

“Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured for all Australians, our first thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief.”

Mr Albanese praised emergency responders who rushed to deliver aid.