The National Jewish Memorial Centre was closed immediately after news of the Bondi shooting was received. Photo: James Coleman.
ACT Policing has increased patrols around places of worship in Canberra following the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney yesterday (14 December).
At least 16 people, including a child and one of the gunmen, have been confirmed dead after the terrorist attack at the “Chanukah by the Sea” Hanukkah event.
Improvised explosive devices were also found in a nearby vehicle and were safely removed by bomb squad officers.
Authorities have confirmed the attack targeted the Jewish community, with a second gunman in custody. One has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram from Sydney’s southwest, the second is believed to be his 50-year-old father.
At least 40 other people, including two police officers and four children, were injured. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad emissary and organiser of the event, was among those killed.
One of those injured was a Sutherland fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, who managed to wrestle the gun off one of the shooters before being shot twice by another shooter.
Those who died are yet to be formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87.
Five people remain in critical conditions with the others remaining in serious and stable conditions.
Both officers remain in serious but stable conditions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as a “devastating terrorist incident”.
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian… There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation,” he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the attack “shattered what should have been a night of peace and joy”.
In Canberra, the National Jewish Memorial Centre in Forrest was evacuated yesterday afternoon as a precaution.
ACT Policing said additional patrols have been enacted at places of worship, and people can expect to see a “visible police presence” at events across the city this summer.
“The ACT Policing family sends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives,” a police statement said.
“We ask people to remain calm and lookout for one another.”
The attack has been declared a terrorist incident, and Australia’s terror threat remains at “probable”, meaning there is a 50/50 chance of another terror attack occurring.
Original Article published by James Coleman on Region Canberra.
