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The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team has formally charged a 24‑year‑old man alleged to be one of two gunmen responsible for the Bondi Beach mass shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people.

About 6.40pm on Sunday 14 December 2025, emergency services were called to Bondi Beach following reports of a public place shooting.

Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, surrounding commands, and specialist police responded and located two men using long arms to fire into crowds of people.

Multiple officers exchanged fire with the gunmen, and two officers – a constable and probationary constable – suffered gunshot wounds.

During the incident, one gunman – a 50-year-old man – was shot by police and died at the scene.

The second gunman – his 24-year-old son – suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.  

Fifteen people died during the attack, with 41 people – including four children – taken to hospital.

There are currently 20 patients continuing to receive care across several Sydney hospitals.  

Those who died are still in the process of being formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87.

Of the two injured officers, the constable is in a stable condition, while the probationary constable remains in a critical but stable condition.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM declared the incident terror related, and the investigation was referred to the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCCT) under Operation Arques.

The NSW JCTT comprises members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.

Following extensive inquiries under Operation Arques, JCTT investigators attended a hospital today (Wednesday 17 December 2025) and charged the 24-year-old Bonnyrigg man with 59 offences, including:

• Commit terrorist act
• 15 counts of murder
• 40 counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder  
• Discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm
• Cause public display of prohibited terrorist org symbol
• Place explosive in/near building with intent cause harm

He remains in hospital under police guard to face Bail Division Local Court 7 via AVL today.

Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400. 

The Australian National Imams Council, as the highest Islamic and religious authority in Australia, together with its member Imams and religious leaders, unequivocally condemns ISIS as an evil, dangerous terrorist organisation whose actions and ideology stand in complete opposition to the teachings of Islam and the values upheld by Muslims worldwide. This position has been clear and consistent by ANIC since the very emergence of ISIS and has been maintained without hesitation ever since. The Muslim world has suffered firsthand at the hands of ISIS, with the overwhelming majority of its victims being Muslims. Communities across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond have endured mass killings, displacement, and the destruction of places of worship, including mosques. ISIS does not represent Islam or the Muslim world in any way. Its ideology is evil and rooted in violence and terror. It bears no relationship to Islamic teachings, ethics, or scholarship, which emphasise the sanctity of life, justice, and mercy. ANIC and its member Imams have been clear, consistent, and vocal in opposing ISIS and its followers. In 2017, ISIS publicly listed ANIC’s senior members as targets to be killed. This was part of ISIS’s campaign of intimidation at the height of its activity and acts of terror. ANIC, together with Muslim leaders and scholars globally, firmly rejects the use of the term “Islamic State”. We call on all authorities, political leaders, and media agencies to refrain from using this label and to refer to the group only as ISIS or Daesh. This terrorist organisation does not deserve any association with Islam in name or description. We also reject any attempt to connect ISIS or its members to Islam or to frame its evil and dangerous ideology as a distorted version of the Islamic faith. All reputable and prominent Islamic institutions, scholars, and Muftis across the Muslim world have openly, repeatedly, and unequivocally condemned and denounced ISIS and its ideology. This includes leading global Islamic authorities such as Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Muslim World League, the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt), Majelis Ulama Indonesia, the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia, and the European Council for Fatwa and Research, among many others. There is no legitimacy, credibility, or scholarly support for ISIS within mainstream Islam. Anyone connected to, supporting, or promoting ISIS ideology must be denounced and held accountable. There can be no tolerance for the justification, glorification, or revival of an ideology built on violence and terror.

NSW Health is stepping up mental health support for anyone impacted by the tragic incident at Bondi on Sunday 14 December.

A mental health disaster response has been initiated to ensure help is available for anyone who needs it, with trained mental health clinicians working on the ground in Bondi and Coogee.

These mobile clinicians are there from 8am to 8pm wearing hi-vis NSW Health vests to be easily identified by the local community. They will continue to be visible in the Bondi Beach area over the coming days and weeks.

Anyone who is feeling distress is urged to seek support from our mental health clinicians, who can also provide referral to further appropriate services, if required.

The NSW Government has also been working with Jewish House to provide culturally appropriate services, and our partners in the NGO and community mental health sectors to ensure anyone who needs support receives it.

This includes disaster welfare officers, disaster chaplains and Red Cross staff at Coogee who are well-versed in psychological first aid.

NSW Health has boosted existing resources in the local area to ensure the right care is available to those who need it. Members of the Bondi community can access mental health care through:

• Safe Haven at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick is operating extended hours from Monday 15 December to Friday 19 December from 10am to 7.30pm.
• Headspace Bondi Junction at 20 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction from 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Friday.
• NSW Health public hospitals remain available for 24/7 mental health support, including Prince of Wales Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital at Sydney Children’s Hospital.

The effects of this tragedy are being felt far and wide and the NSW Government strongly encourages anyone who needs help to please reach out for it.

NSW Health has increased staff coverage on NSW Health’s dedicated Mental Health Line, to improve the support available 24/7 on 1800 011 511.

The Transcultural Mental Health Line (1800 648 911) is available for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

If you, or someone in your care, needs crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au

Further information on support services for children and adolescents can be found on the NSW Health website. 

For non-crisis support, please talk to your GP or other trusted health or mental health professional. You can also call Beyond Blue for mental health advice and support on 1300 22 4636.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We have initiated a mental health disaster response in the wake of the horrific incident in Bondi, providing mobile mental health clinicians in the local community.

“As we move past the immediate aftermath of this devastating event, I want to encourage anyone who is feeling distressed, anxious, or angry, to please seek support.

“We have stepped up support with more resources for our existing mental health care services, to ensure help is freely available to anyone who wants it.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“What happened in Bondi has shaken so many people right across Sydney and New South Wales.

“Whether you were there, know someone who was, or you’re feeling distressed by what you’ve seen online and in the news, it’s ok to not be ok.

“We are making free support available to anyone who needs it through our dedicated team of mental health clinicians in Bondi and Coogee, and boosting resources for existing services like headspace, Safe Haven, NSW Health’s Mental Health Line, or Lifeline.”

NSW Health Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright:

“I extend my deepest sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of those who died and were injured at Bondi Beach.

“It is really important people be mindful about taking care of their mental health over the coming days and weeks following this traumatic event.

“Everyone deals with serious trauma differently and processes in their own way. A range of feelings are a normal part of processing a trauma, so don’t be afraid to talk about what you’re going through.

“We strongly encourage anyone who needs help to please reach out for it. We have mental health clinicians in the Bondi community ready to help and a range of mental health supports available if you call NSW Health’s 24/7 dedicated Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.”

Tonight, I made the decision to light the Sydney Opera House with candles on the Menorah, marking the second day of Chanukah.

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.

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

Lighting the Opera House is a simple but powerful gesture: a message to the world that we cherish our Jewish community, that we honour their courage, and that we stand with them in solidarity and love.

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

Addressing the General Meeting of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Board in Canberra today, ACN President Kath Stein FACN offered condolences to all victims of the tragic terror event at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.

Ms Stein said Australia’s nurses support the families of all those affected by the shooting and its aftermath and stand with Australia’s Jewish community during this period of grieving and recovery.

On behalf of the ACN Board and our members, I praise the nurses and their colleagues who are working around the clock caring for the innocent victims and the first responders who were injured in the attack,” Ms Stein said.

ACN also acknowledges the bravery and professionalism of the ambulance personnel, paramedics, doctors, police, lifesavers, and other health professionals who gave their all during and after this horrific attack.

There were local heroes, too – members of the local Jewish community and members of the public who put themselves in danger to help others.

There will be many others with injuries and trauma that we cannot see.

The nursing profession is here to care for everyone affected. It is important that we all care for ourselves and each other,” Ms Stein said.