Bondi Beach Shooting Live Updates: ISIS Flag Found in Attacker’s Car; ‘My Son Didn’t Own a Gun, He Went for a Swim,’ Says Shooter’s Mother

Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting Live Updates: Australia is shaken by its deadliest gun attack in nearly 30 years. A targeted antisemitic shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach left many people dead. Police said one gunman was a 50-year-old man who was shot dead at the spot. The second suspected shooter, his 24-year-old son, is in critical condition in hospital.

An ISIS flag was found in a car linked to the suspects, raising terrorism concerns. Police also raided the family’s home in Sydney’s Bonnyrigg area as the probe expanded. Forty people, including two police officers, are still in hospital. The victims are aged between 10 and 87 years.

Bondi Beach Shooting: Death toll rises

Authorities confirmed that at least 16 people were killed in the shooting, which occurred Sunday evening during a Jewish community event called “Chanukah by the Sea” at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, marking the start of Hanukkah. At least 40 people were injured in the attack, including two police officers, officials said. Police have classified the incident as a terrorist attack, citing the targeted nature of the event and the weapons used.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes at Bondi as “shocking and distressing.” Meanwhile, Premier Minns expressed support for Australia’s Jewish community, saying the state stands with those who lost loved ones during the religious festival.

‘He’s a good boy,’ says mother of accused

According to reports, Verena’s husband, Sajid Akram (50), was shot dead after allegedly opening fire at a religious gathering marking the start of the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Their son, Naveed (24), who was present with his father at the time of the attack, was detained at the scene and is currently in custody.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Verena said she last spoke to her husband and son while they were on a weekend fishing trip to Jervis Bay. Recalling the call, she said, ‘He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. We’re going … to eat now, and then this morning, and we’re going to stay home now because it’s very hot.’

Images showing Naveed holding a firearm at the scene later circulated widely on social media. However, Verena insisted her son could not be involved in violence. ‘He doesn’t have a firearm. He doesn’t even go out. He doesn’t mix with friends. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t go to bad places … he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and that’s it,’ she said, adding, ‘Anyone would wish to have a son like my son … he’s a good boy.’