A major police action is currently taking place at Bondi Beach, Sydney. This comes on the heels of news of an active shooter and multiple injuries at a massive party marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The collision happened just after sundown, the start of the eight-day Indian festival of lights. As investigations continue, authorities have confirmed that two suspects are in custody.
Local New South Wales police advised the public not to go near the scene while officers continue responding to the incident. Eyewitness Harry Wilson, a 30-year-old local, recounted the chaotic scene, stating he saw “at least 10 people on the ground with blood everywhere.” Video from the scene shows people laid out on the ground in close proximity to a mass of frightened concert-goers running for their lives.
This is the Jewish community at its best joining together to celebrate a joyous occasion. Had someone done this on purpose, the scope would be hard to fathom. None of us could have imagined a world like this. It’s a terrible thing,” Alex Ryvchin said. Co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, he warned about it earlier this week in an interview with Sky News.
This recent attack has a larger historical significance as well. It occurred almost exactly 11 years after the Lindt Cafe hostage crisis in Sydney in which a gunman held 18 hostages, three of whom died during a 16-hour standoff before police stormed the cafe. The tragic anniversary has raised fears in the immigrant community — already on high alert.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities have yet to announce the final count of people injured from the gunfire. According to one account, emergency responders even tried to resuscitate the injured man directly on the scene.
“We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police,” stated a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The police military operation is still at its peak. Our law enforcement partner continues working diligently to make the area safe and obtain additional information regarding this ongoing incident. The community remains devastated. They’re now left to wrestle with the realities and ramifications of this violent act that blasted through the celebratory atmosphere of one of their happiest days.
