Australian media devoted extensive coverage to the attack that targeted Jews celebrating the Hanukkah holiday in the well-known Bondi Beach area near the city of Sydney. Coverage revealed several details about the attack, conveyed information about the types of weapons believed to have been used, and allocated significant space to praising the Muslim man Ahmed Al Ahmad, who confronted one of the gunmen and seized his weapon.
Australian police announced on Sunday the deaths of 16 people and the injury of around 40 others as a result of the shooting.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that police rushed to Bondi Beach as soon as gunfire was heard, with hundreds of people seen fleeing the scene.
Ahmed Al Ahmad, 43 years old, who succeeded in wresting the weapon from one of the attackers, is a Sydney resident who owns a fruit shop in the Sutherland area and is the father of two children. He was shot twice during the attack.
The report added that the first images to emerge showed two men dressed in black firing what appeared to be assault style rifles from the pedestrian bridge linking Campbell Parade and the Bondi Pavilion.
It stated that police shot and killed one of the gunmen and arrested the second, who is now in custody.
The site added that Police Commissioner Lanyon confirmed the incident was a “terrorist act”, while New South Wales Police moved to reassure residents and confirmed there was no further threat.
Lanyon also indicated that improvised explosive devices were found in a vehicle in Campbell Parade linked to the gunman who was killed. Police quickly raided a house in the suburb of Bonnyrigg in western Sydney connected to the attack.
According to the site, Commissioner Lanyon confirmed that more than 1,000 people were celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach at the time of the attack.
On the Police List
In response to a question about how the two gunmen were able to plan and carry out the attack if one of them was known to police, Commissioner Lanyon said, “What I said is that we know the person. That does not mean there was any specific threat posed by this individual. If police had intelligence indicating a risk to the community or to this event, we would have taken significant measures.”
For its part, the Australian ABC News website focused on surveillance footage documenting the moment a man in civilian clothing managed to engage one of the shooters at Bondi Beach and seize his weapon.
It reported that the video clip shows a man hiding behind a car near the gunman who was firing shots, before suddenly lunging at him and taking his weapon.
The site added that the footage then showed the second attacker continuing to fire, appearing to signal to his companion who had lost his weapon to return to the bridge. Police later confirmed that one of the gunmen was shot dead at the scene.
“Ahmed Al Ahmad Is a Hero”
According to the site, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described what happened as a “shocking event” and “unusual in Australia”. He added that footage of the man who disarmed one of the attackers was “the most astonishing scene I have ever seen”.
Minns said, “This man is a true hero, and I have no doubt that many people are alive tonight because of his bravery.”
The Australian website News.com.au revealed the man’s identity, stating that his name is Ahmed Al Ahmad, 43, a Sydney resident who owns a fruit shop in the Sutherland area and who managed to disarm one of the attackers.
The site praised the man, describing him as a hero, and said he is the father of two children and was shot twice during “this unbelievable act of heroism”, according to his cousin who spoke to Australia’s 7 News network.
7 News is the television news service of the Seven Network and is the highest rated and most watched in Australia.
Mustafa, Ahmed Al Ahmad’s cousin, told the network, “He is in hospital and we do not know exactly what is happening inside. We hope he will be okay. He is a hero, 100 percent.”
According to News.com.au, Al Ahmad is scheduled to undergo surgery that night. Reports indicate that he has no prior experience with firearms, but happened to be passing by the scene and decided to intervene.
Name of One of the Attackers
In another report, the site stated that authorities revealed the identity of one of the gunmen as Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in south western Sydney.
An official source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said police were raiding Naveed Akram’s home in Bonnyrigg.
The site quoted the head of Australian Security Intelligence, Mike Burgess, as saying he was examining the identities of the attackers and whether there was anyone else in the community “with a similar intent”.
Asked whether either of the gunmen was on intelligence watch lists, Burgess said, “One of these individuals was known to us, but not from the perspective of an imminent threat, so we need to look into what happened here.”
The weapons suspected to have been used in the attack were bolt action rifles, which are designed to inflict lethal injuries at long distances. They are slower than semi automatic weapons but capable of firing several aimed rounds per minute.
How Did They Obtain the Weapons?
News.com.au questioned how the perpetrators of the Bondi attack obtained their weapons, noting that police have not yet officially confirmed the types of weapons used by the gunmen who opened fire at Bondi Beach in the afternoon.
It reported that post incident footage taken near the pedestrian bridge overlooking Bondi Park provided important evidence, showing red shotgun shell casings scattered on the ground, alongside thinner metal casings believed to belong to hunting rifles.
The site stated that the weapons suspected of being used were bolt action rifles, designed to inflict fatal injuries at long range.
It added that although they are slower than semi automatic weapons, they are capable of firing multiple aimed rounds per minute.
The use of shotguns is also suspected, which are considered more dangerous, especially at close range, as they fire a large number of pellets in a single shot.
News.com.au added that the incident raises major questions about how the gunmen obtained such lethal weapons, particularly given that Australia applies some of the strictest gun laws in the world, enacted after the 1996 National Firearms Agreement.
Strict Laws
The same site said Australian law requires all firearms to be registered and licences to be granted to all owners, noting that self defence is not considered a sufficient reason to own a firearm anywhere in the country.
It stated that despite this strict framework, civilians can legally own certain firearms, such as bolt action rifles and many types of shotguns, provided they meet stringent requirements.
The site quoted the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission as saying that more than 260,000 firearms are circulating illegally in the country.
Raid on an Attacker’s Home
In another report, News.com.au discussed the Australian police raid on a house in south western Sydney believed to be the residence of one of the Bondi Beach attackers, Naveed Akram.
It added that dozens of people gathered in the street attempting to approach the house, while a police officer at the scene warned journalists, saying, “It is not safe, you must go back.”
The report stated that some local residents who were prevented from reaching their homes pleaded with police to allow them through, but were asked to return.
It added that the attack is not the deadliest mass shooting in Australia’s history, with the 1996 Port Arthur massacre remaining the worst, leaving 35 people dead and 23 wounded. That incident led to major reforms in gun laws.
Despite the regulated legal framework for firearm ownership, civilians may legally own certain rifles, such as bolt action rifles and various types of shotguns, provided they comply with strict conditions.
A Mother’s Testimony
7 News carried the testimony of an Australian mother who was at home when she was surprised by a call from her daughter, who had gone to Bondi Beach to spend the day with her friends.
She said her daughter sent her a sudden message stating, “Mum, there has been a shooting in Bondi, but do not worry, we are fine.”
She added that as she wondered whether her daughter was speaking seriously or joking as she often does, she was startled by a phone call from her friend whose daughter was also at the beach.
Her friend told her, “There has been a shooting. The girls are fine, they are safe. A woman told them to run.”
The Australian woman said that the two girls and their friends had been under the bridge just minutes before the first shots were fired, adding that she remains in a state of shock.
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