Bondi Beach Shooting: Police Release Victims’ Names After Deadly Attack at Hanukkah Event

Police Release Names of Victims After Bondi Beach Shooting That Killed 15

Sydney, Australia — Australian police have publicly released the identities of several victims killed in the terrifying mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December 2025, during a Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park near Bondi Beach. Wikipedia

The incident, which began shortly after 6:47 pm local time, has been described by authorities as an antisemitic terrorist attack targeting a Jewish community event. Two gunmen, a father and son, opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 innocent people and injuring dozens more in one of the deadliest attacks in Australia’s history. Wikipedia+1

Victims Identified by Police and Families

Police and families have revealed the names and stories of many of the victims, highlighting the human toll behind the headlines. The confirmed deaths so far include:

• Matilda, a 10-year-old girl, described by her family as joyful and bright. ABC

• Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a British-born rabbi who served the Chabad community in Bondi and was a leader in organising the event. ABC

• Alexander Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor who died while trying to protect his loved ones. People.com

• Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a respected member of the Jewish community. The Guardian

• Reuven Morrison, a community volunteer known for confronting one of the attackers. The Guardian

• Dan Elkayam, a French national and passionate soccer player who was visiting Australia and was killed in the attack. The Guardian

• Peter Meagher, a former police detective and rugby volunteer, also among the casualties. The Guardian

• Marika Pogany, a Slovak citizen and longtime community volunteer. The Guardian

• Boris Gurman (69) and Sofia Gurman (61), a couple who bravely tried to confront the gunmen and were killed while protecting others. The Australian+1

Authorities have confirmed that the ages of the victims ranged from 10 to 87 years old, with many more families still awaiting formal identification procedures. Wikipedia

What Police Have Said

New South Wales police officials have described the release of names as a sensitive and important step in the aftermath of the tragedy. Commissioner Mal Lanyon emphasised that authorities are continuing to work closely with families to ensure all identities are confirmed respectfully. AP News

Officers also reiterated that the attack was a deliberate act of terror targeting a community celebration, not a random act of violence, and vowed to bring justice while supporting the victims’ families. AP News

The Shooting That Shook Sydney

The shooting unfolded during a Hanukkah festival attended by hundreds of people in Archer Park next to Bondi Beach. Two men, later identified by police as Sajid Akram (50) and his son Naveed Akram (24), began firing indiscriminately at the crowd from a raised platform overlooking the event. Wikipedia

The elder gunman was fatally shot by police at the scene, while the younger was critically injured and taken into custody. Authorities have recovered multiple weapons and are investigating possible extremist motives linked to the attackers. Reuters

Heroism and Responses

Among the chaos, numerous acts of bravery emerged. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a bystander, was widely praised after he disarmed one of the gunmen, potentially saving countless lives despite being wounded himself. ABC News

Victims’ loved ones and community leaders have called for unity, remembrance, and tighter protections for vulnerable communities, including strengthened gun safety laws and enhanced security measures for public events. Reuters

Mourning and Memorials

Tributes have poured in from across Australia and around the world. Flowers, photos, and handwritten messages now line memorials near Bondi Beach and community centres in Sydney, as families come to terms with their loss. The Guardian

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, calling it “an assault on the values we hold dear” and pledged government support for survivors, victims’ families, and community resilience efforts. Reuters