TERROR ATTACK: Multiple dead after gunmen opened fire on Jewish celebration on Australian beach

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From the Daily Mail: Ten people, including children, are dead after two gunmen armed with rifles opened fire at Bondi Beach where a Jewish holiday celebration was unfolding on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses said two men stepped out of a vehicle on Campbell Parade, near Bondi Pavilion, and opened fire about 6.40pm on Sunday with footage showing blast after blast on the tourist strip. Some witnesses report more than 30 shots.

Video and photos taken by a Daily Mail photographer show a gunman opening fire from an elevated bridge using a large rifle.

One gunman has been shot dead. The other one was also shot, and is now in custody.

A festival, Chanukah by the Sea, advertised as a night of family fun, was taking place, with children attending the event when the gunmen opened fire.

Police said in a statement, “Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition. At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers.”

According to one witness, “These men pulled over their car put a black flag with an emblem on the windshield, then walked over the footbridge and started firing.”

One of the gunmen appears to have ventured off the bridge, while the other remained. Both were still shooting.  A video is going viral all over social media of a brave man who jumped the gunman by a tree and took the gun away from him.  The hero is being credited for possibly saving many lives.

The disarmed gunman then fled back to the bridge.

In another video, the same gunman who was disarmed is seen lying on the bridge after being shot by authorities. The second gunman still continues firing, until he too is finally shot down.

According to a copy of an ID card posted on social media, one of the terrorists has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram.

According to unconfirmed reports, Akram immigrated to Australia from Pakistan in 2018.

The Daily Mail also confirmed in a separate report:

One of the gunmen who opened fire on innocent people on a hot summer’s day at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has been identified. Police have confirmed the man was Naveed Akram, 24, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west.

Akram’s home in Bonnyrigg is currently being raided by police. His family have owned the property for a year. Akram was shot, arrested and remains in custody, where he is being treated by emergency services.

The other gunman was shot dead at the scene.

According to journalist Claire Lehmann, “Multiple sources in Sydney are reporting that there was an unexploded IED at the scene. National Security Council meeting underway in Canberra now.”

The crowd was seen fleeing for their lives.

Avraham Berkowitz, a Jewish leader in Brooklyn, New York, shared a copy of the flyer that had been previously released advertising the Jewish event at Bondi Beach.

“I am shaking with pain and anger over the horrific shooting massacre at Chanukah by the Sea in Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, targeting a gathering of hundreds of Jewish men, women, and children lighting the Menorah, celebrating the first night of Chanukah. The event is located near the playground, an attack on families and children. I am praying for the victims, and my heart goes out to our Jewish family and community in Sydney,” he wrote.

“Here is the invitation to the Chanukah celebration that was targeted and so many are victims of this horrific massacre, this event was the first in the world to begin Chanukah this year,” he added.

In a follow-up post, Berkowitz wrote, “I can’t breathe. I am heartbroken and outraged. My friend, and colleague Rabbi Eli Schlanger of Chabad of Bondi was brutally murdered today simply for being Jewish, celebrating Judaism and leading his community during a Chanukah celebration.

“Together with him, ten other precious souls, men, women, and children from his community were murdered in cold blood. Dozens are injured. “Rabbi Eli was one of the most joyful, creative and passionate young Jewish leaders in Australia. I deeply mourn for his family and the entire community.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement, but failed to call the shooting a terror attack. Instead, he wrote, “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing.”

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott wrote, “The events at Bondi Beach are an absolute atrocity. A horror for the victims and a massive escalation of the hatred directed at Australia’s Jewish community. There should be no place in Australia for the kind of evil we’ve seen this evening. Thank God one bystander heroically intervened showing the good side of our country. I am praying for all those affected at this time.”

Australian senator Pauline Hanson wrote, “Today is an extremely dark day for our nation, particularly the Australian Jewish community, which appears to be the target of this terrorist attack. The Prime Minister never heeded the warning signs, including the weekly anti-semitic protests across our nation, hate speech from certain religious clerics, our obnoxious universities and probable terrorist alert. I stand with Australia’s Jewish community, who tonight deserve our absolute solace. You have the same right to live in peace and harmony as all Australians. Authorities must be honest when revealing the identities and backgrounds of these murderers.”

UPDATE: In a press conference hours later, Australian Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon officially declared the shooting a terrorist attack, and said 12 people are now deceased, with another 29 injured.

Lanyon also announced that a vehicle near the beach is believed to have several explosive devices inside.

READ MORE from the Daily Mail.

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