The recent Australia shooting that is being widely discussed in news and forums refers to the 14 December 2025 mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, during a Hanukkah celebration. The alleged attackers were identified by police as Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, who opened fire on the crowd in what authorities have described as an antisemitic, ISIS-inspired terrorist attack.

Who did the Australia shooting?

Australian authorities have named two alleged perpetrators in the Bondi Beach attack:

  • Sajid Akram
    • Identified as one of the two gunmen who opened fire at the Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach.
* He was shot and killed at the scene by responding police officers.
  • Naveed Akram
    • Sajid’s son, identified as the second alleged gunman.
* He was critically injured after being shot by police, later charged in absentia with multiple offences, including numerous counts of murder and attempted murder.

Authorities and multiple major outlets have reported that investigators believe the attack was inspired by Islamic State (ISIS) ideology and deliberately targeted the Jewish community gathered for the first night of Hanukkah.

What exactly happened?

On the evening of 14 December 2025, around 1,000 people were attending a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach when two men dressed in dark clothing opened fire from a footbridge overlooking the area.

Key points reported:

  • The attack began at approximately 6:47 pm local time, with witnesses describing panic as people fled or took cover along the beach and promenade.
  • The gunmen reportedly used a rifle and a shotgun, firing into the crowd and causing high casualties before police confronted them.
  • Sixteen people were killed, including gunman Sajid Akram, and dozens more were injured, several critically.
  • Four civilians tried to confront the attackers; three of them were killed and one was seriously wounded, and have been widely described as heroes in local reporting.

How authorities have described the attack

Australian officials have framed the incident as both terrorism and an antisemitic hate crime:

  • The New South Wales Police Commissioner declared it a terrorist incident on the night of the attack.
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “an act of pure evil,” saying it was deliberately targeted at the Jewish community and motivated by antisemitism and extremist ideology.
  • Investigators have said at least one of the suspects was known to security services before the shooting, and a homemade explosive device was later found in their vehicle, prompting a large counterterrorism operation.

Police and security agencies launched a major joint investigation (reported under the operational name “Operation Arques”), with expanded patrols and security measures around Jewish sites and major public events across Sydney following the attack.

What about names circulating on forums?

On various forums and social platforms, users have mentioned other names, sometimes praising or blaming individuals who are not identified as perpetrators in official reporting. This includes:

  • Nicknames or invented figures being called “the Lion of Bondi Beach” or “hero,” often in highly politicized or sarcastic contexts.
  • Comments that mix satire, misinformation, and extremist sympathies, which do not match the official names or roles released by police and verified news outlets.

Given how fast misinformation spreads after mass violence, the only reliably confirmed alleged attackers in this case are Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram , as identified by Australian authorities and major international news organizations.

Current status and ongoing investigation

  • Sajid Akram is deceased after being shot by police at the scene.
  • Naveed Akram survived with critical injuries and has been charged with dozens of offences, including multiple counts of murder and attempted murder, while in custody and under medical care.
  • Authorities have stated they believe the two acted without a broader operational cell, but a comprehensive terrorism and security review is underway, including a Royal Commission to examine how the attack was able to occur and whether warning signs were missed.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.