Twenty-nine taken to hospitals across Sydney, police commissioner designates shooting a terrorist incident
he NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, is speaking now. He said:
Twenty-nine people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers. The condition of those officers and the other transported are serious but there is a range of conditions.
The shooting has been designated a terrorist incident. Lanyon said police are investigating if there is a third offender.
Key events
Shooters used long arms, police investigating believed explosive devices inside vehicle
Lanyon said it’s too early to determine where the weapons used in the shooting came from, but described them as long arms.
He said specialist police have located a vehicle in Bondi Beach in which they believe are several improvised explosive devices.
Rescue bomb disposal units are on scene at the moment.
NSW police commissioner calls for calm as shooting investigated
Lanyon is urging the community to remain calm as the police investigate the shooting.
When I asked for calm, that is really important. This is not a time for retribution. This is a time to allow the police to do their duty. So police are responding to make sure that all of the community is safe.
Twenty-nine taken to hospitals across Sydney, police commissioner designates shooting a terrorist incident
he NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, is speaking now. He said:
Twenty-nine people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers. The condition of those officers and the other transported are serious but there is a range of conditions.
The shooting has been designated a terrorist incident. Lanyon said police are investigating if there is a third offender.
NSW premier says public’s ‘heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community’
Minns said there will be a “massive comprehensive police and public order response” after the shooting.
Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.
It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period.
At least 12 killed in attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community, Chris Minns says
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, is speaking now. He just said at least 12 are dead:
This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see, and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney.
This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community. On the first day of Hanukah. What should have been a night of peace and joy, celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack.
Anne Davies
Witness describes ‘deafening’ Bondi shooting
Young people sat stunned at Bondi beach this evening after today’s mass shooting.
Olivia Matis had been out for a run in the evening along the Bondi beach promenade. She says:
I was just walking outside the pavilion and I ran into a friend and I heard the most deafening sounds. I thought they must be fireworks or something, and then I could see people crouching down and then people said ‘run’. There was just shots, shots, shots and I thought no way there’s a shooter but I ran and just sprinted.
A friend ran past and said there’s a shooter and I just kept running to my apartment at north Bondi. We just hid.
She said she thought there were about 50 shots.
Tom McIlroy
NSW Liberal MP Julian Leeser has called Sunday’s attack at Bondi Beach ‘a horrifying tragedy’
Leeser said the Sydney Jewish community is shaken by the attack, which appears to have targeted an event for the first night of the Jewish festival of Hanukah.
“For Australians, tonight has turned into one of grief and shock,” Leeser said. “We must come together, check in on one another, support our Jewish friends, and to offer comfort where it is needed.”
He went on:
My heart goes out to those who were in Bondi, spending time with their family and friends, only to be confronted with fear and violence.
Our Jewish community, which is known for its courage and stoicism, is shaken tonight.
Leeser thanked police and ambulance responders who attended Bondi.
Tom McIlroy
Tony Abbott says Bondi shooting an ‘absolute atrocity’
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called the Bondi shooting an “absolute atrocity”:
There should be no place in Australia for the kind of evil we’ve seen this evening.
Thank God one bystander heroically intervened, showing the good side of our country. I am praying for all those affected at this time.
Here is a video of that moment:
Home affairs minister condemns ‘appalling act of violence’
Tom McIlroy
Tony Burke, the home affairs minister, says the news from Bondi is horrifying.
The prime minister is being briefed directly by all security agencies.
All Australians stand together with the victims and against this appalling act of violence.
I encourage everyone in Sydney to listen to the directions of the NSW police as they conduct their investigation.
NSW opposition leader says shooting ‘horrific attack on our community and on our way of life’
Kellie Sloane, the NSW opposition leader, just released a statement saying the shooting was a “horrific attack on our community and on our way of life”.
She said:
No community in this country should live in fear. This is an attack on our shared sense of safety and belonging.
Tonight, our community and state stand together, determined that light will overcome darkness.
Police appealing for any mobile phone or dashcam footage
NSW police have urged anyone in the area with mobile phone or dashcam footage to upload it to an official website here.
A press conference with the NSW premier, Chris Minns, and NSW police officials is set to start in a few minutes. We’ll bring you live updates.
New Zealand prime minister offers condolences
The New Zealand prime minister, Christopher Luxon, just released a statement, saying Australia and New Zealand “are closer than friends, we’re family”.
“I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day,” he said. “My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected.”
Witness describes ‘very continuous shooting’
Guardian reporter Anne Davies is in Bondi talking to people at the scene.
She spoke with Sergi Cánovas, who had just left Bondi beach with his family when they heard multiple shots – “very continuous shooting” – and saw people starting to run.
Eating at a nearby sushi restaurant, they hid under the table. As the shots continued, they crawled through the kitchen to a backyard with a group of people.
“A … very nice lady, she opened the door of her house,” he said. “We went all inside and then we just put all the shutters down and just wait there.”
Graham Readfearn
‘It was mayhem’, witness says
Jesse Lockhart-Krause is a Bondi local and volunteer surf lifesaver who was in the area to pick up his girlfriend who is also a volunteer surf lifesaver. He said:
I was driving to pick her up from the surf club. I thought there were fireworks but I could see birds flying away.
Then I saw a group of people running towards the car. I realised it wasn’t fireworks. It was mayhem with people jumping out of their cars.
It was still daylight. It was a beautiful day today.
Lockhart-Krause, who is now safe and home with his girlfriend, said the shooting occurred in the vicinity of a car park behind a children’s play area that was next to the surf pavilion.
He said several volunteers from the surf lifesaving club had reacted after the shots were fired to take emergency equipment including oxygen and defibrillators to the scene. He said:
There were several that had the courage to get into the park and start helping people. It was all surreal.
It is my back yard down there and it feels wrong. It is concerning that this can happen in the community.
Melbourne Hanukah event cancelled after shooting
A Hanukah event in Melbourne was cancelled earlier this evening “out of an abundance of caution”. The CSG Community Security Group said the event Chanukah at Caulfield Racecourse had ended early, saying those at the site were being told to leave and anyone en route should return home.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, said she was horrified by the events, saying tonight “all Victorians stand with New South Wales and everyone who is grieving right now”.
The incident that has unfolded in Bondi this evening is horrifying and distressing.
My thoughts are with all those impacted by this horrific incident and with the first responders who are dealing with this traumatic event.
Tonight all Victorians stand with New South Wales and…
— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) December 14, 2025
National Imams Council urges Australians to ‘stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity’
The Australian National Imams Council just issued a statement condemning the shooting, urging all Australians to “stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity”. The body said:
These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law.
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack. We acknowledge the pain, fear, and distress felt across the community and extend our sincere compassion and support to all who are grieving.
Tom McIlroy
Albanese expected to speak later tonight
The national security committee of federal cabinet is meeting now, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, attending in Canberra.
Albanese is expected to speak from Parliament House after the meeting wraps up.
Two police officers among injured; specialist teams investigating ‘suspicious items’ in the area
NSW police just released a statement after the shooting, with a press conference set for 9.30pm this evening.
Two police officers were injured in the shooting.
One man believed to be a shooter has been killed, and another alleged shooter is in a critical condition.
During their investigation, police said a “number of suspicious items” have been located in the area and are being examined by specialist officers. An exclusion zone is in place. Police said:
An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now underway. There have been NO reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident.
Police are appealing for anyone with mobile phone footage or dashcam video to send it to Crime Stoppers.
