Australian police have confirmed a new detail that makes the Hanukkah massacre at Bondi Beach even more chilling: the two gunmen were not strangers, but were related by blood — a fact only revealed after hours of intense investigation.
Police today confirmed the Bondi Beach terrorists that killed 15 innocent people are father and son – as dramatic footage revealed the moment armed forces took the duo down.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father – who was also shot dead by officers – targeted families during a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s most famous beach.
In the footage, filmed from a drone, one of the attackers can be seen firing shots from a pedestrian footbridge before stumbling and falling to the ground after being hit by a police bullet.
One terrorist appears to be lying prone on the ground as the other continues to target innocent civilians celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
The attacker ducks below the side of the bridge throughout as he appears to reload his weapon before continuing to unleash fire having already targeted crowds of locals, holidaymakers and families.
He shoots in both directions, with one civilian just five cars away, before falling to the ground, dropping his weapon and lying on the floor.
He trades punches and kicks with a civilian before the police detain him.
Officers then swarm the bridge to arrest one of the attackers who raises his hands to surrender.
New South Wales Police commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference in Sydney on that the attackers were father and son.
The car used by the terrorists, believed to have a flag of terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) draped on its front window, is seen in the distance on Campbell Parade on the edge of Bondi Beach with a body lying next to it.
This is the moment police took down the alleged Bondi Beach terrorists after gunmen killed at least 16 people during a Hanukkah celebration
One of the attackers can be seen firing shots from a pedestrian footbridge before stumbling and falling to the ground after being hit by a police bullet
Naveed Akram, 24, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west, pictured armed with a rifle at Bondi Beach
Witnesses said two men stepped out of the vehicle on Campbell Parade, and over the course of roughly 10 minutes, the two terrorists coldly fired around 50 bullets into the gathered crowd.
One of them has been identified as 24-year-old Akram from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west. He reportedly told his mother he was going on a fishing trip.
Akram was shot, arrested and remains in custody, where he is being treated by emergency services.
His father, 50, was gunned down at the scene.
The death toll from the massacre rose to 16 by Monday morning local time, and includes a 10-year-old child. The oldest fatal victim is understood to be 87.
The attack took place on Sunday shortly before 7pm local time as the attackers targeted a Hanukkah by the Sea event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in an act of ‘terrorism’.
At least 16 people were killed – including one of the attackers – and at least 40 people were injured as the Jewish community was taking part in a family-focused festival to celebrate the the first night of Hanukkah.
A child passed away at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. Four patients were transferred to the children’s hospital, New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said.
In just a few minutes, the gunmen took the lives of 11 people, though that number could still rise.
Victims are being identified.
Alex Kleytman tragically died while saving his wife of five decades, she told the Daily Mail.
Officers working at the scene eventually flooded the footbridge and arrested one of the terrorists
Married for five decades, grandmother Larisa Kleytman and her husband came from Matraville, a suburb of Sydney, to celebrate Hanukkah with other Jewish people.
‘I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me, in the back of the head,’ she said.
Mrs Kleytman and her husband came to Australia from Ukraine and have two children and 11 grandchildren.
A Rabbi who promoted the Hannukah event at is also among the dead.
British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had recently celebrated the birth of his son, was among those shot when gunmen opened fire into the crowd on Sunday evening.
Several sources within the Bondi Jewish community confirmed the father of five was a victim. His wife Chaya is also believed to have been injured in the attack.
Some of their children were with the couple at the event but are understood to have escaped without physical injury.
Prime Minister Albanese gave a speech to the public following a meeting of the National Security Committee on Sunday night.
‘There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation,’ he said.
‘Let me be clear we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity, where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith.
At least 16 people have been killed after two terrorists targeted a Hannukah event on Bondi Beach
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid flowers near the scene of the terror attack
Pictured: A man laying flowers at a memorial at Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion following the massacre
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had recently celebrated the birth of his son, was killed in the massacre
Alex Kleytman (left) tragically died while saving his wife of five decades, she told the Daily Mail
‘At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. Our agencies will provide you with factual updates as quickly as possible as they continue to emerge.’
The praise for first responders has been unanimous from leaders across Australia, but some witnesses have questioned why police did not have systems in place to respond to an attack such as this far more swiftly than what unfolded, especially after the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing that took place not too far away.
It has also since been admitted by Australia’s domestic security intelligence agency, ASIO, that one of the shooters was on their radar.
‘One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate threat perspective,’ ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said.
‘So obviously we need to look into what happened.’
