Key Takeaways:
- A nearly 11-minute video shows the attack on a Hanukkah celebration and the response of police and bystanders.
- The video reveals two gunmen, one on a footbridge and the other on the ground, directing sustained fire towards the event.
- The attackers are eventually shot and injured by incoming fire, with the first attacker being hit about 30 seconds before the second.
- The aftermath of the attack is chaotic, with bystanders attacking the injured gunmen and clashing with each other.
- Police arrive on the scene about seven minutes after the attack begins, and work to restrain bystanders and clear the area.
Introduction to the Attack
The recent attack on a Hanukkah celebration has been captured on a nearly 11-minute continuous video, providing the clearest picture yet of how the attack was carried out and how police and bystanders responded. The video, filmed from about 50 meters away, shows the attack unfolding and the subsequent response of those in the area. It is unclear how soon the recording began after the attack started, but it opens with one gunman already on the footbridge between Campbell Parade and Archer Park, while the second gunman, in distinctive white trousers and a backpack, shoots at a fleeing person.
The Attackers’ Actions
The pair of attackers then direct sustained fire towards the event, with the attacker on the bridge firing almost continuously and occasionally repositioning a spare long-barrelled gun at his feet. He descends the bridge stairs towards Archer Park only once, and for less than ten seconds, before returning to his elevated position. In the nearly six minutes before he is shot, he pauses only to reload and to threaten people who stray too close on Campbell Parade. The second attacker crosses the bridge and moves towards a tree roughly 30 meters from the Hanukkah gathering, continuing to fire until separate verified footage shows him being disarmed by a bystander and returning to the bridge to pick up the spare weapon.
Police Response
A police vehicle passes within the first 22 seconds of the video, and there are sirens sounding throughout, but after two minutes, witnesses can be heard shouting "Where are the cops?" It’s more than four minutes into the video before incoming shots targeting the attackers strike the bridge. About 30 seconds later, the attacker in white trousers is hit first and collapses. About a minute later, the remaining gunman is also shot, drawing cheers from onlookers. The police response has been criticized for being slow, with some questioning why it took so long for officers to arrive on the scene.
Aftermath of the Attack
The aftermath of the attack is chaotic, with people running onto the bridge despite shouted warnings, some attacking the injured gunmen and clashing with each other. The first police officer steps onto the bridge after seven minutes, closely followed by others who work to restrain bystanders and clear the scene. Police vehicles arrive, and in the final minute, the camera turns briefly towards the Hanukkah event, where people are tending to victims. The scene is one of confusion and panic, with many people trying to make sense of what has just happened.
Conclusion and Reflection
The video of the attack on the Hanukkah celebration provides a disturbing and insightful look at the events that unfolded. It highlights the bravery of bystanders who attempted to disarm one of the attackers and the eventual response of the police. However, it also raises questions about the speed and effectiveness of the police response and the need for improved protocols in emergency situations. As the community comes to terms with the attack, it is essential to reflect on the lessons that can be learned from this tragic event and to work towards preventing similar attacks in the future. The video serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for communities to come together in the face of adversity.