At Least 11 Killed and Dozens Wounded in Horrifying Beach Shooting During Celebration

Australia was left reeling Sunday after a deadly attack during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where authorities say two gunmen killed at least 11 people and wounded dozens more in what has been declared a terrorist act.

Police confirmed that one of the attackers was shot dead at the scene, while the second was arrested and remains in critical condition. At least 29 people were injured, including two police officers, according to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. Officials warned that the death toll could change as more victims continue to receive medical care.

The violence erupted during a public gathering known as Chanukah by the Sea, where hundreds of people had come together to mark the beginning of Hanukkah. Authorities said the event was deliberately targeted, prompting officials to classify the shooting as a terrorist attack based on both the nature of the gathering and the weapons used.

“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.

Chabad, the Orthodox Jewish organization that helped organize the event, confirmed that one of those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi who had served the local community for more than 18 years. Chabad is widely known for hosting large, open community celebrations during major Jewish holidays.

Dramatic video aired on Australian television appeared to show a bystander tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, an act that may have prevented further bloodshed.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire echoed across the beachfront. Lachlan Moran, visiting from Melbourne, said he dropped what he was carrying and ran the moment he heard the shots. “You heard a few pops, and I freaked out,” he said, adding that the shooting seemed to continue on and off for several minutes.