A father and son duo orchestrated a tragic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, leaving 16 individuals dead, including one of the attackers, and 40 others injured, according to police reports.
During a press briefing on Monday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed that the perpetrators were a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, responsible for the horrific act of terror.
The father is confirmed deceased, while the son remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Commissioner Lanyon noted that authorities are not pursuing any additional suspects at this time.
Authorities reported that the father legally owned six firearms, all of which have since been recovered. Some were found at the scene, while others were seized during searches at two different locations executed by investigators.
The incident, which took place on Sunday during the Hanukkah festivities at Bondi Beach, is currently under investigation.
Victims of the shooting range from as young as 10 to as old as 87, according to police statements.
The shooting happened during an annual celebration, known as “Chanukah By The Sea.” It was scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. to celebrate the first day of the Jewish holiday by lighting the first candle on the Menorah. The shooting happened around 6:45 p.m. local time.
Police say the attack “targeted” the Jewish community and is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
At least 40 people remained hospitalized after the shooting, including two police officers, the agency confirmed. The shooting is the worst attack against Jews since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks.
Police added that they found evidence of multiple improvised explosive devices in a vehicle near the scene of the attack.
“We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that,” he said.
A health worker moves a stretcher after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14, 2025. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog acknowledged the attack while speaking at an event in Jerusalem recognizing immigrants’ extraordinary achievements on Sunday.
“At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach,” Herzog said. “Our hearts go out to them. 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.”
Herzog also called on the Australian government to “seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society.”
