Bondi Beach shooting as it happened: 16 dead, dozens injured in Australia’s worst mass shooting since Port Arthur massacre; alleged shooter Naveed Akram assessed by ASIO in 2019

More than 24 hours have passed since Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades.

Here’s how the response is unfolding as communities unite in mourning and authorities investigate the terror attack.

• Mourners gathered at Bondi Pavilion on Monday night to leave floral tributes at the scene.
• 15 people were killed after Sajid Akram and his son Naveed opened fire at a Hanukkah event on Sunday evening. 26 people remain in hospital, 12 of them in a critical condition.
• Ten-year-old Matilda was the youngest victim of the terror attack. Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, businessman Reuven Morrison, former police officer Peter Meagher, grandfather Tibor Weitzen, and dedicated volunteer Marika Pogany, 82, are among the dead.
• Two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and remain in hospital. One has been identified as Constable Scott Dyson. The other is a probationary constable.
• Naveed Akram, 24, suffered critical injuries and is under police guard in hospital. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot by police and died at the scene.
• Sajid legally owned six firearms and belonged to a recreational gun club. Police are investigating a trip the pair took to the Philippines in November. Naveed previously came to ASIO’s attention in 2019.
• National cabinet has pledged to “eradicate antisemitism, hate, violence and terrorism”, and agreed to take “strong, decisive and focused action” on gun law reform.
• Hero Ahmed al Ahmed, who wrestled the gun from one of the shooters, says he would do it again despite being “riddled with bullets”. He remains in hospital as he recovers from gunshot wounds.

We will be back with live coverage and updates from 5am Tuesday morning.

The Sydney Opera House has been illuminated with candles on a menorah, marking the second day of Chanukah 24 hours after the mass shooting targeting Jewish people at Bondi Beach.

“In the wake of this horrific attack, it is more important than ever that the Jewish community in NSW knows they do not stand alone,” Premier Chris Minns said in a statement on Monday night.

“We cannot, and we will not allow Jewish Australians to feel they must hide their faith, their traditions, their religious celebrations or their identity.

“Tonight, those candles are a symbol of resilience and a reminder that even in darkness we choose to stand with one another.”

More than 24 hours have passed since Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades.

Here’s how the response is unfolding as communities unite in mourning and authorities investigate the terror attack.

• Mourners gathered at Bondi Pavilion on Monday night to leave floral tributes at the scene.
• 15 people were killed after Sajid Akram and his son Naveed opened fire at a Hanukkah event on Sunday evening. 26 people remain in hospital, 12 of them in a critical condition.
• Ten-year-old Matilda was the youngest victim of the terror attack. Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, businessman Reuven Morrison, former police officer Peter Meagher, grandfather Tibor Weitzen, and dedicated volunteer Marika Pogany, 82, are among the dead.
• Two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and remain in hospital. One has been identified as Constable Scott Dyson. The other is a probationary constable.
• Naveed Akram, 24, suffered critical injuries and is under police guard in hospital. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot by police and died at the scene.
• Sajid legally owned six firearms and belonged to a recreational gun club. Police are investigating a trip the pair took to the Philippines in November. Naveed previously came to ASIO’s attention in 2019.
• National cabinet has pledged to “eradicate antisemitism, hate, violence and terrorism”, and agreed to take “strong, decisive and focused action” on gun law reform.
• Hero Ahmed al Ahmed, who wrestled the gun from one of the shooters, says he would do it again despite being “riddled with bullets”. He remains in hospital as he recovers from gunshot wounds.

We will be back with live coverage and updates from 5am Tuesday morning.

Two NSW Police Officers were among the injured in yesterday’s terror attack at Bondi Beach.

Constable Scott Dyson has been identified as one of the injured officers, and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. The second police officer, who is yet to be identified, also remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

NSW Police have just released a statement on behalf of the two officers families.

“The families of the two injured officers wish to pass on their thoughts to the loved ones of those who were killed and injured in the Bondi shooting tragedy,” the statement read.

“They also want to express their heartfelt gratitude to all first responders who acted with courage, in particular the police officers and paramedics who responded. They also wish to thank their hospital team, and especially those in ICU.

“They thank the community for their support but have asked for privacy as their loved ones focus on recovery and healing.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has met with hero bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, who is still recovering in St George Hospital after suffering bullet wounds.

Ahmed tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi shooters on Sunday, and sustained about five bullet wounds during the altercation that were sprayed across his left arm.

Minns said Ahmed was a “real life hero” whose incredible bravery “no doubt saved countless lives”.

Earlier, The Herald spoke with Sam Issa – Ahmed’s immigration lawyer – who said his clients would do it again, despite being “riddled with bullets”.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has followed the Prime Minister on the ABC’s 7.30 program, where he was asked if it was a mistake not to have more security and armed police in place for the first night of Hanukkah in Bondi.

“I’m sure if we had our time again, we would have responded differently, as would police, as would our entire public order and safety organisations,” Minns said.

“That’s the truth of the matter. We don’t get a second chance, unfortunately, and we need to make sure that we make changes from today to protect communities across NSW, but in particular the Jewish community of Sydney, who have had to deal with anti-Semitism and rising violence now for the last two years.”

Minns said an investigation was under way into how many police officers were deployed at Bondi on Sunday evening, and an investigation into how a terror attack of this scale could take place.

“What I can promise is a comprehensive investigation, a full independent inquiry into exactly what has happened, and we’ll act on the terms of that investigation,” he said.

“We will act on the recommendations. This is a devastating, devastating event for the people of NSW. It’s particularly devastating for the Jewish community, and it’s my responsibility as the Premier of NSW to rebuild social and public life for the Jewish community, because it is not an option for them to hide or pretend that they’re not Jewish in this beautiful city. We’ve got to do everything so that they can live their lives in peace.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has been booed and heckled at a Hanukkah event in Melbourne’s south-east this evening.

Allan attended the Caulfield Shule on Monday night along with most of her cabinet ministers, state Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and federal MPs from across the political divide.

Despite this gesture of non-partisan support for the Jewish community following the Bondi massacre, the congregation gave Allan a hostile reception. Wilson, by contrast, received warm applause.

The biggest ovation was reserved for members of the CSG, the Jewish community security group which guards Jewish events, schools and places of worship.