Mass shooting targeted Jewish community as deaths mount
Kat Wong and Samantha Lock |
Gunmen who opened fire on Australia’s most famous beach were targeting the Jewish community in a terrorist attack that has killed 12 people.
One of the offenders has been killed and another is in a serious condition in custody after they began shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney about 6.47pm on Sunday.
At least 29 people, including two officers, were injured as hundreds of people gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event to celebrate the start of the Jewish Hannukah festival.
NSW Premier Chris Minns vowed to take action against the perpetrators.
“This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney,” he told reporters.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.
“What should have been a night of peace and joy in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack.”
People on the ground reported panic, confusion and disbelief as chaos unfolded.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed two gunmen standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing shots into a crowd.
The men could be seen shooting large firearms as people screamed and sprinted for cover.
A number of people were shown lying injured and unmoving on grass at North Bondi.
Others were loaded into ambulances on stretchers while onlookers attempted to provide support.
Separate footage showed officers standing guard over a hunting rifle on the ground with an exclusion zone in place.
Daniel, who is visiting Australia from Brazil, said he saw the two shooters on the bridge before about five police cars arrived.
He and a friend hid while the shots were fired and then they ran.
“A lot of people on the sand, on the ground, were trying to scream help,” he told ABC News.
“A lot of people on the floor, kids crying, looking for their mum.”
He said it was hard to believe something like this could happen in Australia.
“After today, I don’t feel safe anymore.”
NSW Police confirmed two people had been taken into custody shortly before 8pm.
A bomb disposal unit has been deployed after a number of improvised explosive devices were found in a vehicle linked to the dead gunman, and a Western Sydney house in Bonnyrigg has been raided.
Police are also investigating the possibility of a third gunman, but there is no immediate ongoing threat.
The shooting has officially been declared a terrorist incident, which will allow the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Federal Police and its state counterpart to deploy special powers in its probe.
Co-chief of the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin described the incident as “our worst fear realised”.
“It’s a family event, a beautiful event every year,” he told Sky News.
“If this is what we think it is, it is our worst fear realised … if we were targeted it’s something of a scale none of us could ever imagine.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his support to the Jewish community.
“We stand with you, we embrace you, and we affirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe,” he told reporters.
“There are nights that tear at our nation’s soul.
“In this moment of darkness, we must be each other’s light.”
The NSW premier also chose to spotlight the Australians who showed bravery in the face of danger.
Unverified footage on social media showed a bystander sneaking up behind the shooter before wrestling the firearm from his grip and pointing it at him.
“These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives,” Mr Minns said.
While one of the alleged gunmen was known to the ASIO, he was not seen as an immediate threat.
Director-General Mike Burgess has said ASIO would look into the issue as it searched for others who might be plotting similar attacks.
But he stressed there was no indication anyone else in the community had a similar intent.
The nation’s terror threat will also remain at “probable”, meaning there is a 50 per cent chance of a terror attack in the next 12 months.
Asked if there had been a failure in intelligence or policing, the NSW premier said the government and police would conduct a full investigation into the incident.
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