Australian authorities have laid a sweeping set of charges against the surviving suspect in the Bondi Beach mass shooting, as a grieving nation begins to bury its dead. The 24-year-old man, who was shot and apprehended by police, now faces 59 criminal offenses, including 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
A Community in Mourning Begins to Say Goodbye
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the first funerals were held for victims of Sunday's horrific attack. Hundreds of mourners gathered under heavy police security at a synagogue in Sydney to honour the victims, all of whom identified as Jewish. The attack targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, an event that had run peacefully for 31 years.
The first to be farewelled was Eli Schlanger, 41, the assistant rabbi at Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi and the organizer of the "Chanukah by the Sea" event. A father of five, Schlanger was also known for his work as a chaplain in New South Wales prisons and a Sydney hospital. His father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, spoke emotionally at the service, expressing regret for not telling Schlanger more often how loved and appreciated he was.
The victims ranged in age from Matilda, a 10-year-old girl, to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. Among the dead were Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple in their 60s who were fatally shot while trying to disarm one of the gunmen. Another man, Reuven Morrison, also in his 60s, was killed while throwing bricks at an attacker in an attempt to stop the violence.
Charges Laid and a National Reckoning Begins
The suspected gunman was formally charged in his Sydney hospital bed, where he remains under guard after being wounded in the confrontation with police. His 50-year-old father, identified by state officials as Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated the father-son duo carried out "a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State."
The charges have ignited a fierce national debate. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, facing criticism from Jewish leaders over insufficient protections, vowed to take all necessary government action to stamp out antisemitism. In a significant policy shift, he and state leaders pledged to tighten Australia's already strict gun laws. This comes after it was revealed the older suspect had legally amassed six firearms. Proposed reforms include restricting gun ownership to Australian citizens and limiting the number of weapons one person can hold.
Investigations are now probing a trip the suspects took to the Philippines in November 2025, with Davao city listed as their destination. While Philippine authorities report no recent signs of foreign militants, the area has historical ties to groups that expressed support for IS.
A Nation Grieves and Looks Forward
As official inquiries unfold, ordinary Australians have responded with acts of solidarity. Hours-long lines formed at blood donation centres, and at dawn on Wednesday, hundreds of swimmers gathered on Bondi Beach for a silent vigil before entering the sea together.
Despite the trauma, the Jewish community has vowed resilience. Rabbi Yehoram Ulman promised the Hanukkah celebration would return to Bondi Beach, stating the goal is to defy the attackers and become stronger. "We're going to show the world that the Jewish people are unbeatable," he said.
With over 20 people still receiving treatment in hospitals, the physical and emotional healing for Sydney's close-knit Jewish community and the nation at large has only just begun.
