Australian authorities say they have charged a man who is said to have opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, with “terrorism” and murder charges, as mourners gathered to begin funerals for the victims.
Police and local courts said on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, that 59 charges are being introduced after the deadly shooting that also wounded dozens of others, including two officers.
Among the offences are “committing a terrorist act”, wounding with intent to murder, placing an explosive, discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and publicly displaying a terrorist symbol.
There are 20 people receiving care in Sydney hospitals for injuries sustained in Sunday’s shooting, according to NSW Health. That includes one patient in a critical condition and several in a critical but stable condition.
Two suspected gunmen, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, carried out the attack using six firearms owned by the former.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said police were still waiting for the medication to wear off before formally questioning the son, who was shot but survived the shooting.
Naveed Akram reportedly woke up from a coma on Tuesday afternoon. Sajid Akram died at the scene of the shooting.
“For his fairness, we need him to understand exactly what is happening,” he said.
Syrian-Australian man Ahmed al-Ahmed tackled one of the gunmen during the attack, wrestling a shotgun from his grip and turning it on the attacker.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that he is “the best of our country” as he visited the hospital where the man was being treated for gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, a Sydney man is being praised as a hero for disarming one of the alleged shooters in the Hanukkah attack that left 15 dead and 42 injured.
The video shows a man, identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, running towards one of the alleged shooters. He’s then seen disarming the alleged gunman before pointing his weapon back at him, prompting him to walk away.
Albanese visited al-Ahmed in the hospital and told him, “Your courage is inspiring,” according to a video of the visit posted to social media.
“Ahmed, you are an Australian hero. You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist. In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night. On behalf of every Australian, I say thank you,” Albanese said on X.
The fruit seller was having lunch in the area with a friend when the shooting unfolded, and he intervened, according to his brother, Huthaifa.
