A child places flowers at a memorial at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 following Sunday's shooting in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australian police Tuesday said a mass shooting at a Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach was a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State or ISIS group.
Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators believe the attack was driven by extremist ideology, news agency Associated Press (AP) reported.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured when gunfire broke out during the event on Sunday.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, right, and Kellie Sloane, leader of the opposition, the New South Wales Liberal Party, lay wreaths at a tribute for shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. (Photo: AP)
The suspects are a father and son, aged 50 and 24, police said. The older man was shot dead by police, while the younger man was taken to hospital and remains under treatment.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the assessment was based on evidence collected by authorities, including material found in a seized vehicle. “This includes the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle,” Albanese said.
Police said 25 people are still being treated in hospital, including 10 in critical condition. Three of the injured are children.
Among those injured is Ahmed al Ahmed, who was filmed tackling and disarming one of the attackers. The video shows him pointing the gun away and placing it on the ground.
Travel to the Philippines under probe
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators are examining a recent trip the suspects made to the Philippines. He said police are trying to establish where they travelled and why.
Lanyon also confirmed that a vehicle linked to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices and homemade Islamic State flags.
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Authorities said they have no current evidence linking the suspects to active militant groups overseas.
PM praises man who tackled attacker
Albanese visited Ahmed al Ahmed in hospital on Tuesday. He said the 42-year-old shop owner, who was born in Syria, is due to undergo further surgery for shotgun wounds.
“It was an honour to meet Ahmed al Ahmed,” Albanese said. “He represents the best of our country. We will not allow this country to be divided.”
Lifeguards at Bondi Beach were also praised for helping during the attack. One lifeguard carried out an ocean rescue as people ran into the sea to escape. Another was seen running barefoot from a nearby beach with a first aid kit.
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“These are community members who ran towards danger to help others,” said Anthony Carroll, a cast member of the television show Bondi Rescue, speaking to Sky News. The investigation into the attack is ongoing, police said.
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A child places flowers at a memorial at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 following Sunday's shooting in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
