Bondi Beach shooting LIVE updates: Mail photographer's harrowing first-hand account of staring down alleged killer - as cathedral is lit up in stunning memorial

Bondi Beach shooting LIVE updates: Mail photographer's harrowing first-hand account of staring down alleged killer - as cathedral is lit up in stunning memorial
By: dailymail Posted On: December 18, 2025 View: 33

A father-of-four has been confirmed as the 14th victim in the devastating Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

Adam Smyth, 50, was walking on the beach with his wife on Sunday evening when the massacre unfolded.

Other victims included British-born Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, French national Dan Elkayam, 27, Wellington Street synagogue assistant Reuven Morrison, Slovak citizen Marika Pogany, 82, retired NSW Police detective sergeant Peter Meagher, 61, Edith Brutman, Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, and Soviet immigrant Boris Tetleroyd.

The passport photos of alleged gunmen Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father, Sajid, were shared online on Thursday. 

The passports were used during their trip to the Philippines just weeks before the attack, sparking concerns they were meeting with Islamist extremists.

Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences at his hospital bedside on Wednesday.

They include 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder.

He did not appear or apply for bail during a brief bedside court hearing and the case was adjourned until April. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced reforms to crackdown on hate speech following the incident, including targeting hate preachers. 

This live blog has now closed.

WATCH: Harrowing interview with Daily Mail photographer who survived the Bondi shooting

Several countries update travel warnings for Australia

The horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday has seen a list of countries renew their travel advice for Australia.

Among those are the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and China.

While the overall advice for tourists in Australia has been to exercise normal safety precautions, some countries have issued terrorism alerts.

Canadians were warned by their government that 'terrorist attacks could occur at any time' with likely targets including government buildings, places of worship, airports and tourist attractions.

The UK similarly advised 'terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Australia' but kept its safety level at 'exercise normal caution'.

16 December 2025 SYDNEY NSW WWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AU  CREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL AUSTRALIA   ASSIGNMENT: Bondi Shooting  LOCATION: Bondi Pavilion, Bondi, NSW, 2026 15387567

PICTURED: Cathedral's touching tribute to Bondi massacre victims

Saint Mary's Cathedral, in Sydney's CBD, was lit up in recognition of Hanukkah as a tribute to the victims of the Bondi massacre.

The Catholic church beamed a nine-branched Hanukkah Menorah onto its front on Thursday night.

It was the second act of solidarity the church offered in wake of the terrorist attack.

Just hours after the shooting claimed 15 lives, the church shared a touching tribute.

'With shock and bitter sadness we are trying to come to terms with the evil murderous attack at Bondi Beach which seems to have targeted Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah,' Father Don Richardson, Dean of St Mary's Cathedral, said.

'At St Mary’s Cathedral, we pray for the souls of those who were murdered. We pray for the recovery of the injured, the consolation of those who mourn, and security for those who are afraid.

'We will be praying for the Jewish community, the people of Bondi, and everyone affected by this horrendous terrorism at all our liturgies.'

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 18: St. Mary's Cathedral displays a menorah on the cathedral during a light show on December 18, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. (Photo by Audrey Richardson/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 18: St. Mary's Cathedral displays a menorah on the cathedral during a light show on December 18, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. (Photo by Audrey Richardson/Getty Images)

Why Indian relatives of Bondi shooter cut ties

The family of Indian-born Bondi shooter, Sajid Akram, cut ties with him soon after he moved to Australia in 1998.

Sajid's family home, in the middle class suburb of Al Hasnath Colony in Hyderabad, has been padlocked shut since the mass shooting on Sunday.

Sajid - who allegedly killed 15 innocent people alongside his son, Naveed - has visited India just six times since immigrating to Australia.

Tensions with his Indian relatives began when he married a Christian woman of Italian descent in Australia, Venera Grosso.

She remains at their family home in Bonnyrigg, in Sydney's southwest, with her youngest son and daughter.

Ms Grosso previously claimed to have thought Sajid and Naveed were fishing in Jervis Bay on Sunday, the day of the shooting.

In a statement from Hyderabad police, Sajid's family in India also claimed to have no knowledge of his 'radical mindset'.

'The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed, appear to have no connection with India,' it said.

'As per information available from his relatives in India, Said Akram had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years.

'He visited India on six occasions after migration to Australia, primarily for family-related reasons such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents.

'It is understood that he did not travel to India even at the time of his father's demise.'

The house of the family of a suspected gunman who was shot dead by police during a shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in Hyderabad, India, December 17, 2025. REUTERS/Sunil Kataria
A man rides his motorbike past the house of the family of a suspected gunman who was shot dead by police during a shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in Hyderabad, India, December 17, 2025. REUTERS/Sunil Kataria
Members of the media work in front of the house of the family of a suspected gunman who was shot dead by police during a shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in Hyderabad, India, December 16, 2025. REUTERS/Almaas Masood

Akram family spotted outside the Coroner's Court

The family of Sajid Akram were seen outside the Coroner's Court on Thursday afternoon to claim the body of the deceased terrorist ahead of his burial.

Sajid was fatally shot by police during the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday - allegedly carried out alongside Sajid's son, Naveed Akram.

Police escorted the Akram family to the court and they hid their faces with masks, sunglasses and jumpers.

18 DECEMBER 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL AUSTRALIA ASSIGNMENT: Bondi Beach - Akram Family escorted to Coroner to claim body of Sajid AkramThese are EXCLUSIVE images of the Akram Family seen being escorted by NSW Police to head to the Coroners Court to claim the body of the deceased terrorist Sajid Akram ready for burial, all whilst funerals of his victims are being conducted today.
18 DECEMBER 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL AUSTRALIA ASSIGNMENT: Bondi Beach - Akram Family escorted to Coroner to claim body of Sajid AkramThese are EXCLUSIVE images of the Akram Family seen being escorted by NSW Police to head to the Coroners Court to claim the body of the deceased terrorist Sajid Akram ready for burial, all whilst funerals of his victims are being conducted today.
18 DECEMBER 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL AUSTRALIA ASSIGNMENT: Bondi Beach - Akram Family escorted to Coroner to claim body of Sajid AkramThese are EXCLUSIVE images of the Akram Family seen being escorted by NSW Police to head to the Coroners Court to claim the body of the deceased terrorist Sajid Akram ready for burial, all whilst funerals of his victims are being conducted today.
18 DECEMBER 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL AUSTRALIA ASSIGNMENT: Bondi Beach - Akram Family escorted to Coroner to claim body of Sajid AkramThese are EXCLUSIVE images of the Akram Family seen being escorted by NSW Police to head to the Coroners Court to claim the body of the deceased terrorist Sajid Akram ready for burial, all whilst funerals of his victims are being conducted today.

Bondi victim responds to 'sick and twisted' AI photo of him covered in 'fake blood'

Bondi victim Arsen Ostrovsky has responded to a viral AI photo of a makeup artist applying fake blood to his face that circulated online in the hours after the massacre.

'I saw those pictures as I was being wheeled into the operating theater to remove bullet fragments,' he told reporters at the flower memorial at Bondi Beach.

'These sick and twisted campaigns of hate and lies. I will just say there is an incredible onus on the social media companies to stamp this hatred out because these are not mere words.

'As we saw here just Sunday, when words, when hatred is left untouched, it leads to violence, and you saw the deadly manifestation of that on Sunday.'

Mr Ostrovsky revealed he and his family had only relocated to Australia a few months ago, after he survived the October 7 attacks at the Nova music festival in Israel.

He took up a job combating antisemitism.

'When we told our children, my elder daughter who's 8, she asked me, Abba, Daddy.

'Does that mean no more bombies, meaning no more rockets, no more sirens, and no more running to bomb shelter, and I said no, sweetie, no more bombies.

'You're safe. This is Australia. I was wrong.'

AI IMAGE DO NOT USE WITHOUT SPECIFYING THAT THIS IS AN AI IMAGE- CIRCULATED ON FACEBOOK  15387719
Drew Pavlou ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿@DrewPavlouMy Twitter friend @Ostrov_A was shot in the head but survived
Floral tributes outside Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Steve Markham)

Aussie slams people spotted taking photos on the Bondi massacre footbridge: 'Delete them'

People have been seen taking photos on the doomed footbridge used by the gunmen accused of opening fire on a crowd gathered to celebrate Hanukkah.

On the day of the attack, multiple videos posted to social media showed two figures standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion.

Police had closed the popular tourist destination during their investigation, but it was reopened to the public earlier on Thursday.

Hours later, crowds of people were spotted walking across the bridge, some pausing to reflect on the tragedy that unfolded just days earlier.

Many were seen taking out their phones to snap a photo.

One Aussie was quick to slam the 'ridiculous' behaviour in a TikTok video.

'Everyone is getting f***ing photos by the park and the bridge where it happened.

'Why the f*** are you getting photos. This is not a f***ing joke.

'This is a serious issue, if you're in Bondi getting f***ing photos by the bridge and by the park where it happened like "look at me" this is not a photography session.

'I'm actually in shock. Go get photos somewhere else.'

15393429
People and the police are seen on the footbridge that was used by the father-and-son gunmen during the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting, in Sydney on December 18, 2025. The attack at Bondi Beach on December 14 was one of the deadliest in Australian history. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)
People are seen at the footbridge used by the father-and-son gunmen during the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting, in Sydney on December 18, 2025. The attack at Bondi Beach on December 14 was one of the deadliest in Australian history. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)
A general view as the crime scene is reopened to the public at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Thursday, December 18, 2025. Australia is in mourning after gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in an attack designed to target the Jewish community. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
A member of the Jewish community walks past people on the footbridge that was used by the father-and-son gunmen during the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting, in Sydney on December 18, 2025. The attack at Bondi Beach on December 14 was one of the deadliest in Australian history. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)

Ley: 'Not the time for excuses'

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has demanded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recall parliament in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre.

'Australians watching their prime minister today are angry. This is not the time for excuses,' she told reporters.

'I don't have faith in the prime minister. This is the prime minister who is allowing a self-managed return of ISIS members.

'We call on the prime minister to immediately recall, bring back the parliament to pass legislation to eradicate antisemitism and to strengthen Australia's counter-terrorism laws.'

Ley also claimed Albanese's five sweeping changes to address hate-driven violence in Australia should have been announced two years ago.

The measures include a new aggravated hate speech offence targeting preachers and community leaders who incite violence, as well as tougher penalties for hate speech that actively encourages violent acts.

Bondi Beach shooting LIVE updates: Heartbreak continues as the 14th victim is identified - as the chilling passport photos used by the alleged terrorists on a trip to the Philippines are revealed 15393429

Ley announced a series of plans to tackle antisemitism in Australia, including giving powers to the immigration minister to refuse visas on those grounds.

She said the Coalition would pass laws to give effect to special envoy Jillian Segal's plan to tackle antisemitism.

'In the arts, we will legislate a no-funding trigger to terminate funding agreements made under the Creative Australia Act 2023, where the funding supports antisemitic activities,' she said.

'The Coalition will move to strengthen the Australian Citizenship Act, currently allowing the minister for immigration to apply to a court to cancel the citizenship of dual citizens, to cover a wider range of terrorist-related conduct such as overseas military-style training and the committing of hate crimes outlawed under the Criminal Code.'

A heartbroken woman has claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has 'blood on his hands' outside a funeral for the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting.

With an Australian flag draped over her shoulder, Chana Friedman said Albanese 'must resign' in an emotional interview outside the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda.

Asked whether there was a place for the Prime Minister at the ceremony, Ms Friedman sobbed: 'No, because he has that girl's blood on his hands.'

'You’re all going to celebrate Christmas very soon, right? Jesus was a Jew. He would have looked like a rabbi that was killed last week,' she told a reporter at the scene.

'We have all failed her...she's this ray of sunshine. Her friends describe her as the most friendly, most beautiful, happy child.'

When asked about his response to antisemitism earlier today, Albanese said the government could have 'always done more'.

'Of course more could have always been done. Governments aren't perfect. I'm not perfect. We have engaged in a constructive way,' he told reporters.

Victims' funerals to be paid for by government

A joint federal and state funding package has been confirmed for those affected by the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey told The Sydney Morning Herald victims and families of those who were killed would receive $75,000.

The government will cover funeral and burial arrangements.

He said Jewish community organisations will receive $2 million to support victims’ families.

Six recovery officers will also work with families under a $3.6 million package.

Small businesses close to where the terror attack took place can also receive a maximum of $25,000 via grants.

Mookhey is providing about $1 million each to Legal Aid and Disaster Response Legal Services, Jewish organisations providing mental health support, and Waverley Council.

There will also be a $1.5 million boost will be provided for security at Jewish community locations.

Premier Chris Minns wears kippah out of respect at funeral for Tibor Weitzen

Mourners have gathered to honour grandfather Tibor Weitzen at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue.

Mr Weitzen, who was born in the Soviet Union, died trying to shield a friend from bullets during the Bondi Beach shooting.

The 78-year-old has been remembered as the 'lolly man' because he gave sweets to children to keep them quiet during events.

Among the crowds entering the memorial, NSW Premier Chris Minns could be seen being patted down by security while wearing a kippah as a mark of respect.

NSW Opposition leader Kelly Sloane was also in attendance.

There was a large security presence at the site, with some officers accompanied by police dogs.

15383345 Beloved father identified as victim of Bondi Beach shooting after he was fatally wounded while trying to protect his wifeTibor Weitzen
NSW Premier Chris Minns arrives  at the funeral service for Tibor Weitzen at Chabad of Bondi in Sydney, Thursday, December 18, 2025. Australia is in mourning after gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in an attack designed to target the Jewish community. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
A large police presence is seen  at the funeral service for Tibor Weitzen at Chabad of Bondi in Sydney, Thursday, December 18, 2025. Australia is in mourning after gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in an attack designed to target the Jewish community. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
A large police presence is seen  at the funeral service for Tibor Weitzen at Chabad of Bondi in Sydney, Thursday, December 18, 2025. Australia is in mourning after gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in an attack designed to target the Jewish community. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

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