At least 12 people have been killed and nearly 30 others wounded in a terrifying shooting rampage at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday night – an attack authorities are now calling a terrorist incident.
Gunfire erupted around 6:45pm on Campbell Parade, sending crowds fleeing in panic as shots rang out during a popular Jewish celebration by the ocean, per the Guardian.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where two shooters were quickly identified. One gunman was killed at the scene. The second was taken into custody and remains in critical condition.
The tragic scene
The scene, already chaotic, took a darker turn when authorities discovered a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) near the area. The bomb squad has been deployed and is currently handling the device.
As of Sunday night, police warned the number of casualties could change, and urged the public to stay away from the area, per BBC News.
In a post on social media, police described the event as a “developing incident” and told residents and bystanders to remain hidden.
“Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand,” they said.
“We are still asking people in the area to take shelter until we can determine what is happening.”
Heroic man disarms shooter
A video is circulating online that appears to show a bystander disarming one of the shooters in an act of heroism.
As the shooter fires into a crowd, a man wearing a white shirt can be seen grabbing him from behind and taking the weapon from his grasp.
He then points the weapon at the shooter, who flees the scene in the direction of a second shooter who was still firing at innocent people celebrating on the beach.
Watch the clip below:
Emergency responders flood the scene as chaos unfolds
Authorities responded with more than 25 emergency units, including ambulances, helicopters, and special operations teams.
NSW Ambulance confirmed that at least 29 people were injured, including two police officers.
Among those hurt, six people were rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, three to Royal Prince Alfred, and two to St George Hospital.
Disturbing footage from the grass near the beach shows victims sprawled across the ground while paramedics desperately tried to help them.
Blood-stained clothes, makeshift head bandages, and frantic scenes of people running from the gunfire painted a horrifying picture of the night.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. However, it’s been confirmed that a Chanukah by the Sea event had started nearby shortly after 5:00PM.
It’s not yet known if the celebration was linked to the attack.
Witnesses describe panic and disbelief
Elizabeth Mealey, a Randwick local and former journalist, was inside the popular Icebergs restaurant when gunshots shattered the evening calm.
“We thought it was fireworks, but it wasn’t. It was something much worse,” she told the ABC.
“People started running right up the beach. It was panic and the panic spread to Icebergs and people are standing around still not knowing what’s going on, so it’s scary.”
