Ten people have been confirmed dead after a shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah was reportedly taking place. Disturbing videos circulating online show two gunmen firing into crowds gathered near the beach.
Footage from the scene shows a bystander wrestling a rifle away from one of the alleged gunmen in an act of bravery that may have saved several lives.
The video shared on social media shows one of the gunmen, dressed in a black shirt and white pants and carrying a black bag, standing beside two bins near the Campbell Parade car park, firing into a crowd gathered on the nearby lawn. As the gunman pauses, the bystander rushes towards him, wraps his arms around the shooter and wrestles him to the ground, eventually prying the rifle from his hands.
Bondi Beach, appears that a bystander rushed one of the shooters and disarmed them. The bravest man on earth.
— The last dance (@26lastdance) December 14, 2025
Give him every award and cash prize pic.twitter.com/7AkJxqwWKz
The gunman falls backwards as the bystander picks up the rifle and aims it at him. The shooter then retreats, walking towards the car park bridge overpass, where another gunman was still positioned. The bystander places the rifle against a tree and backs away. As the footage continues, another man can be seen chasing the fleeing gunman and throwing an object at him as he moves towards the bridge.
NSW Police confirm deaths, injuries
New South Wales Police later released a statement confirming the scale of the attack. “A police operation is ongoing after a public place shooting by two men at Bondi Beach earlier today. Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.” The police further added, “At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers.”
Police said the incident is no longer considered active, but an operation remains under way. Authorities continue to urge the public to move away from the area and avoid Bondi Beach.
Major police operation underway
The shooting triggered a major police response in Bondi, one of Australia’s most iconic and crowded public spaces. Police have sealed off the entire area, with officers lining surrounding streets, patrolling on foot, and instructing people to leave immediately and return home.
Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “shocking and distressing”.
In a statement shared by his office, Albanese said, “Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the (New South Wales) Police.”