Bondi Beach shooting during Hanukkah festivities in Sydney, Australia leaves 12 dead, 29 injured, with one gunman dead and another injured. Police say shooting was targeted towards Jewish community.
A gunman has been shot dead and another is in custody after opening fire at beachgoers at Bondi Beach, Sunday afternoon leaving at least 12 people dead (including 11 civilians and one gunman) and another 16 injured.
The mass shooting, believed to be a targeted attack took place amid a Jewish event celebrating Hanukkah festivities at the iconic beach in Sydney, Australia.
Witnesses said two men stepped out of a vehicle on Campbell Parade, near Bondi Pavilion, and opened fire about 6.40pm on Sunday with footage showing unrelenting gunfire along the tourist strip.
Sydney father of 2 id as Bondi Beach hero bystander who disarmed shooter
Concentrated indiscriminate gunfire along walkway at Bondi Beach
A festival, Chanukah by the Sea, advertised as a night of family fun, was taking place, with children attending the event when the gunmen opened fire.
One witness at the beach, told scallywagandvagabond.com hearing more than 30 shots, with gunshots going off for up to 15 minutes as they and many other beachgoers fled for their lives towards the north end of the beach.
One gunman was shot dead while another is in custody and being treated for gunshot wounds after a hero bystander swooped in on the gunman as they picked off innocent beachgoers.
The shooting took place as Sydney siders took to the iconic ‘packed’ beach on a hot Sunday summer afternoon where temperatures reached the low 30’s (85F).
While the one gunman had his rifle taken off him, it is believed the hero bystander shot at him as they attempted to flee, during which time, the second gunman continued to fire off shots from a walkway bridge, before being ‘neutralized.’
Witness video of the unfolding mayhem showed the gunmen appearing to be wearing ammo belts.
Pakistani national, id as one of Sydney Bondi mass shooting suspects
In the immediate aftermath, police were scouring the area for live bombs, with an unconfirmed report made to police that one was placed under the pedestrian bridge.
The firearms appeared to be semiautomatic with magazines seen on the ground.
At least three firearms appeared to be present during the shooting.
The identities of the gunmen have yet to be released, including their nationality, age and possible links to terror groups.
The New South Wales police said at about 7:30 p.m. that they had two people in custody, without providing further information. They urged people to remain away from the beach.
Police sources cited by Newscom.au said the mass shooting had been planned for months.
Bondi Beach, a half-mile crescent of yellow sand that sits less than four miles from downtown Sydney, Australia, is one of the country’s most famous destinations for locals and tourists.
