Suspects In Sydney’s Bondi Beach Terror Attack Identified As Father-Son, Death Toll Rises To 16

Last Updated:December 15, 2025, 07:04 IST

Australian police said the death toll from the Bondi Beach terror attack has risen to 16 and confirmed the two gunmen were a father-son duo, with no other suspects being sought.

Police inspect at the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 15, 2025 (Photo: AFP)

Australian police on Monday confirmed that the death toll from the terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has risen to 16, as investigators identified the two gunmen involved as a father and son and said they are not looking for any additional offenders.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said authorities had made rapid progress in the investigation overnight and were satisfied that the attack involved only two perpetrators.

“We have progressed at pace overnight with that investigation, and as a result of investigations undertaken, I can say that we are not looking for a further offender," Lanyon said.

“We are satisfied that there were two offenders involved in yesterday’s incident," he said.

According to the police, one of the attackers was shot dead by officers at the scene, while the second suspect remains in hospital in critical but stable condition.

“One is deceased, the second is in critical but stable condition in the hospital at the moment," the commissioner said.

Police identified the attackers as Naveed Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Sajid Akram. Lanyon confirmed that the two men were father and son and provided details of their current status.

“The offenders are a 50-year-old and a 24-year-old male who are father and son," he said.

“The 50-year-old is deceased. The 24-year-old is currently in hospital at the moment."

Authorities said at least 16 people were killed in the shooting, which took place on Sunday evening during a Jewish community event known as “Chanukah by the Sea," held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to mark the beginning of the Hanukkah festival.

At least 40 people were wounded, including two police officers, according to officials.

Police declared the incident a terrorist attack, citing the nature of the event targeted and the weapons used.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community, a view echoed by law enforcement officials.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police carried out two search warrants overnight at properties in the Sydney suburbs of Bonnyrigg and Campsie.

Lanyon said the older suspect was a licensed firearms holder and legally owned multiple weapons.

Lanyon also confirmed that six firearms were recovered following the attack and during subsequent police operations.

“We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday," he said.

He added that further forensic and ballistic examinations are underway to confirm whether the recovered weapons were those licensed to the deceased suspect and whether they were used in the Bondi Beach attack.

“As a result of the search warrant at the Campsie address, ballistics and forensic investigation will determine this morning that those six firearms are the six that were licensed to that man, but also that they were used in the offence yesterday at Bondi," Lanyon said.

Police also said that a number of suspicious items were found in the vicinity of the attack site, including an improvised explosive device discovered in one of the suspects’ vehicles.

Specialist officers are examining the items as part of the broader security operation.

Emergency services were first called to Campbell Parade at Bondi Beach at about 6.45 pm following reports of gunfire.

A large-scale emergency response was launched, with ambulances transporting the injured to nearby hospitals as police secured the area.

Lanyon stressed that investigations will continue in coordination with Commonwealth agencies to fully understand the motive behind what he described as a “senseless incident."

“We will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly," he said.

“It’s important for the community to have the reassurance that New South Wales Police, working with our Commonwealth partners, will not stop until we understand the reasons behind this senseless incident and take any available action that we need to do."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes at Bondi were “shocking and distressing," while Premier Minns expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, saying the state’s heart was with those who lost loved ones as they gathered to celebrate a religious festival.

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News world Suspects In Sydney’s Bondi Beach Terror Attack Identified As Father-Son, Death Toll Rises To 16

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