In a harrowing eight-minute span, a terror attack unfolded on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, leaving 15 people dead and 26 others in hospital in one of Australia's worst mass shootings.
A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown of the Attack
Sky News's Data and Forensics team has meticulously analysed and synchronised publicly-sourced footage to construct a precise timeline of the Sunday attack targeting a Hanukkah gathering attended by over 1,000 people.
The violence began when 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, emerged from a silver Hyundai Elantra. An eyewitness reported one immediately began firing upon exiting the vehicle. The pair shot at people before moving onto a footbridge leading to the beach.
At 18:42:46, a non-armed police forensics van passed the scene, unaware of the unfolding tragedy. Seconds later, the attackers left a firearm on the bridge. The elder gunman, Sajid Akram, then walked towards the crowded Hanukkah event.
By 18:45:07, he was seen in a field adjacent to the event, reloading his weapon. Moments later, a heroic intervention occurred. Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, tackled and disarmed Akram approximately 40 metres from the bridge, an act hailed by authorities.
Police Response and Final Confrontation
Following the disarming, Akram returned to the bridge and picked up a third weapon at 18:46:15. The police response escalated rapidly.
At 18:47:00, officers opened fire from west of the bridge. Sajid Akram was shot and appeared dead. Police then engaged the younger gunman, Naveed, on the bridge. He was hit by gunfire at 18:48:13 and again three seconds later, leaving him in a critical condition.
Forensic Analysis of the Chaos
Forensic audio expert Professor Rob Maher analysed the incident, telling Sky News he counted 106 audible gunshots during the attack. He noted some overlapped and could be echoes, with shots likely coming from both attackers and responding law enforcement.
Police recovered four firearms from the scene. Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson identified the younger attacker's weapon as a Beretta BRX-1 'straight-pull' hunting rifle. The older man initially used a Stoeger M3000 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun, later picking up a similar shotgun after being disarmed.
The attack, lasting less than ten minutes, has sent shockwaves through Australia and the international community, marking a devastating act of violence at a community celebration.
