Key Takeaways
- The alleged gunman shot dead by police during the attack on Australia’s Bondi beach was originally from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.
- The second alleged gunman, who was hospitalised after being shot by police, has awoken from a coma and may be charged as early as today.
- Fifteen people were killed in the attack, which is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community.
- The first funerals for those killed will be held on Wednesday, including funerals for Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan.
- Twenty-two people wounded in the attack remain in hospitals across Sydney, with three in a critical condition.
Introduction to the Attack
The attack on Australia’s Bondi beach on Sunday has left the community in shock and mourning. The alleged gunman, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police, while his alleged accomplice, Naveed, is in critical condition in hospital after also being shot. The attack, which occurred during a Hanukah event, resulted in the deaths of 15 people, making it Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to determine the motivations behind the attack and whether it was linked to any terrorist group.
The Alleged Gunmen
Sajid Akram, the alleged gunman who was shot dead by police, was originally from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. According to Indian police, Akram attained a degree in commerce in Hyderabad before moving to Australia in November 1998 to find work. He married a woman of European origin and had two children with her. Akram returned to India six times for family-related reasons, but his family seemed unaware of any alleged "radicalisation" and local police had no "adverse record" of him before he left in 1998. The factors that led to Akram’s radicalisation appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana.
Investigation and Charges
The investigation into the attack is ongoing, with police working to determine the motivations behind the attack and whether it was linked to any terrorist group. The second alleged gunman, Naveed, has awoken from a coma and may be charged as early as today. Australian police said that Akram and Naveed travelled to the Philippines last month, with the purpose of the trip still under investigation. It is not yet conclusive whether they were linked to any terrorist group or received training in the country.
Victims and Funerals
The victims of the attack include Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman, 87, dedicated and much-loved community volunteer Marika Pogany, 82, and three people who tried to stop the shooting: Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia Gurman, 61, who were shot after trying to disarm one of the alleged gunmen; and Reuven Morrison, who threw bricks at Sajid Akram. The first funerals for those killed will be held on Wednesday, including funerals for Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. Twenty-two people wounded in the attack remain in hospitals across Sydney, with three in a critical condition.
Community Response
The community has come together to mourn the victims of the attack and to show support for the families affected. A memorial was held at Bondi beach on Tuesday evening, where the devastated parents of the youngest victim, Matilda, spoke about their daughter. Matilda’s father, Michael, told the crowd that they named her Matilda because she was their firstborn in Australia, and that they thought it was the most Australian name that could ever exist. The community is still reeling from the attack, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the motivations behind it.
Conclusion
The attack on Australia’s Bondi beach has left the community in shock and mourning. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to determine the motivations behind the attack and whether it was linked to any terrorist group. The community has come together to mourn the victims and to show support for the families affected. The first funerals for those killed will be held on Wednesday, and the community will continue to come together to heal and to find ways to prevent such attacks in the future.
