Police officer injured during Bondi shooting loses sight in one eye
The family of Jack Hibbert, 22, a probationary constable injured during the Bondi shooting, has released a statement saying he has lost sight in one eye after being shot in the head while trying to save people on the beach.
Jack sustained two bullet wounds – one to his head and another to his shoulder. Jack was taken to ICU where he was intubated and underwent multiple surgeries.
Although miraculously surviving, Jack’s injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one of his eyes and he now faces a long and challenging recovery ahead, with additional surgeries required.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, injured in the Bondi shooting. Photograph: NSW Police
Jack has only been in the police force for four months, his family said.
Even so, in the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to.
Jack was simply doing his job – a job he deeply loves – driven by a commitment to protect the community, even at great personal cost.
Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited him in hospital, they said.
They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, and continued helping others while seriously injured.
The support from the police force and hospital staff has been unmatched and we are beyond grateful. We thank the wider community for their kindness, support, and prayers for Jack and our family during this difficult time.
Updated at 20.28 EST
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Visibly angry, Frydenberg said Since October 7, there have been attacks on Jewish Australians.
Make no mistake, I am here, we are here to fight for the soul of Australia and to fight for the survival of the Australian Jewish community that has been here since the arrival of the first Fleet. Just over 100,000 strong.
It has produced Australia’s greatest citizen soldier, Sir John Monash, who would be turning in his grave right now.
Our first Australian-born Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs and the man who brought a touch of healing to our country, and Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox, chief scientist and a greatest philanthropists, Frank Lowy, and industrialists, this is what the Jewish community has contributed in mat 125 years or more and this is how our government repays us.
Former Liberal MP, Josh Frydenberg, has just spoken to the media in Bondi, where he was laying flowers. He said:
I’m here to mourn, but I am also here to warn.
Unless our governments, federal and state, take urgent, unprecedented and strong action, as night follows day, we will be back grieving the loss of innocent life in another terrorist attack in our country. This was all too predictable.
Updated at 20.35 EST
NSW Health provide update on injured victims
NSW Health has released new patient numbers, saying there are 21 people now receiving care, down from 22 this morning.
Patients continue to be discharged, NSW Health said, but some patients who are discharged may return to the hospital for further care.
As of 12pm, there was one person in a critical condition and five people in critical but stable condition.
Updated at 20.34 EST
Tom McIlroy
Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs expresses solidarity and condolences to Australia
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has spoken with her Canadian counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, this morning about the Bondi shootings.
Minister Anand expressed her solidarity and condolences for the people of Australia. The pair agreed to work closely to fight the global rise in antisemitism, to learn from each other on combating terrorism, violent extremism and hate.
I appreciate Minister Anand’s kind and heartfelt words to the people of Australia following the antisemitic terror attack on Bondi Beach,” Wong said.
We agreed to work even more closely to fight antisemitism and to learn from each other and our experiences to ensure our Jewish communities always feel safe and protected.
Updated at 20.29 EST
Josh Butler
The PM expects suspect in Bondi terror attack to be charged by police today
Anthony Albanese has said he expected the surviving suspect in the Bondi terror attack, Naveen Akram, to be charged by police today.
Speaking on Mamamia’s podcast, Albanese was asked about Akram waking up in hospital. His father, Sajid, died at the scene after being shot by police.
“He will be charged formally, if he hasn’t been so already, I would expect that will take place over the coming hours,” the prime minister said, according to a transcript issued by his office.
NSW Police were contacted for comment, with a spokesperson saying no charges had yet been laid as of 11.25am Wednesday.
Naveed Akram and Sajid Akram filmed shooting from a bridge in Bondi. Photograph: Supplied
Speaking about the alleged offenders on Mamamia’s podcast, Albanese said: “the evidence is that they were motivated by the sort of ideology of the Islamic State, that there were flags present in the back of their vehicle that they drove to Bondi in order to cause harm.”
“This is a perverse ideology, a terrorist ideology that does not respect human life, and that is antisemitic in character, but anti-humanity as well. And tragically, we’ve seen that play out at that iconic Australian venue of Bondi Beach,” he said.
The PM said authorities continued to investigate their backgrounds, including travel to the Philippines recently.
Albanese also emphasised the need for gun control measures, such as those suggested at national cabinet on Monday – adding the need to “emphasise the gun buyback provisions that are available, and for us also to look at customs as well.”
Updated at 20.31 EST
Police officer injured during Bondi shooting loses sight in one eye
The family of Jack Hibbert, 22, a probationary constable injured during the Bondi shooting, has released a statement saying he has lost sight in one eye after being shot in the head while trying to save people on the beach.
Jack sustained two bullet wounds – one to his head and another to his shoulder. Jack was taken to ICU where he was intubated and underwent multiple surgeries.
Although miraculously surviving, Jack’s injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one of his eyes and he now faces a long and challenging recovery ahead, with additional surgeries required.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, injured in the Bondi shooting. Photograph: NSW Police
Jack has only been in the police force for four months, his family said.
Even so, in the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to.
Jack was simply doing his job – a job he deeply loves – driven by a commitment to protect the community, even at great personal cost.
Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited him in hospital, they said.
They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, and continued helping others while seriously injured.
The support from the police force and hospital staff has been unmatched and we are beyond grateful. We thank the wider community for their kindness, support, and prayers for Jack and our family during this difficult time.
Updated at 20.28 EST
Rabbi Ulman finishes by saying that this Sunday, a group of rabbis from Bondi and the Jewish community will meet again on the beach to light eight candles.
We’re going to show the world that the Jewish people are unbeatable.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, father-in-law of Rabbi Eli Schlanger Photograph: Mark Baker/APShare
Updated at 20.20 EST
Police expect to speak to alleged shooter this morning
Luca Ittimani
Following on from the prime minister saying the surviving alleged gunman would be charged today: Police have said they expect investigators will speak to Naveed Akram from hospital this morning.
Akram, 24, had been in a coma until Tuesday afternoon, the NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, told the ABC.
Police had only spoken to Akram while holding him in custody in hospital, not for investigative purposes or to charge him with alleged offences, Lanyon told 2GB.
Police had been waiting for him to recover and for the effects of his medication to wear off today, Lanyon said, adding investigators expected to speak to Ahmed this morning once he had a legal representative:
“We expect to speak to him today. I think it’s important we will [have] the opportunity to speak to him first in the presence of a legal advisor before I announce what it may look like.”
Updated at 20.31 EST
Nick Visser
Sydney Jewish bakery ‘closed forever’ in wake of Bondi attack
Avner’s Bakery, a prominent Jewish bakery in Sydney’s Surry Hills neighbourhood run by celebrity chef Ed Halmagyi, has closed for good in the wake of the Bondi shooting.
“Closed today, closed forever”, a man standing outside the shop said this morning.
A message posted on the bakery’s windows said the world had “changed” in the wake of the attack, and one thing had become clear:
It is no longer possible to make outwardly, publicly, proudly Jewish places and events safe in Australia.
After two years of almost ceaseless antisemitic harassment, vandalism and intimidation directed at our little bakery, we have to be realistic about the threat that exist going forwards. Those concerns are now clearly more pressing and more serious. Even in the wake of this terrorist incident, threats have continued.
Avner’s said it felt the business was no longer able to keep its staff, customers and families safe. Halmagyi has detailed scores of antisemitic incidents since the bakery opened its doors, including threatening notes, graffiti and vandalism.
And so we have made the only decision available, one that truly breaks our hearts. Avner’s is closed.
A sign announcing the immediate closure of Avner’s Bakery in Sydney’s Surry Hills on 17 December 2025. Australia Photograph: Nick Visser/The GuardianShare
Updated at 20.30 EST
Ulman says it is “unfathomable” what has happened.
We can’t understand it, but Eli, you now know the answer, because you are in the world of truth.
After what happened, my biggest regret, apart from obviously, was from the things that I could have done more. To tell Eli more often how much we love him, how much I love him. How much we appreciate everything that he does, and I’m proud we are of him.
I hope he knew it, but I think it should have been said more. To all of us, I’m saying, don’t leave things for tomorrow, if you’ve something to say to people close to you, say today.
Ulman has made everyone laugh by telling the crowd how much his wife also loved Eli. How she would say “he is my best friend” before quickly adding “after you”.
Ulman:
Our community suffered, our own … seventh of October. Proportionally, that’s what it is.
So many people and so many connected to this place with Eli, with Yakov.
Ulman lists some of the known victims, including 10 year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of Sunday’s terrorist attack
So much pain, so much tragedy. And what about people that are still in hospital, recovering?
Updated at 19.35 EST
Ulman says Eli, who was 41 years old, lived a life rich enough to be double his age.
In the community, he was there for everyone … constantly thinking of new ways, motivating himself, and how to help other people.
Updated at 19.33 EST
Rabbi Ulman remembers Eli Schlanger: ‘unthinkable that we talk about you in the past tense’
Eli’s dear father-in-law, Rabbi Ulman, is speaking now, through tears.
It is unthinkable that we talk about you in the past tense. And it’s unthinkable for me to have to say something to a crowd and not be able to come to him and say, Eli, what do you think about these deaths?
Ulman says Jewish funerals do not normally take place in synagogues, with only a few religious exemptions, one of which is for “a great leader among the Jewish people”.
As he speaks, people in the crowd have broken into tears.
Whatever I will say today will be such an understatement to what you meant to. To everyone, to your family, and to me personally.
He says that as soon as Eli married his daughter, he became “everything to him”.
You’re my son, my friend and confidant. To think I will go a day without you, it doesn’t seem possible.
Mourners gather at a synagogue for the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Photograph: Mark Baker/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 19.29 EST
Penry Buckley
Final arrivals at funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger
Before the service started, among the final arrivals were Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, the Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, and the NSW minister for multicultural affairs, Steve Kamper.
The federal MP for Macnamara in Melbourne, Josh Burns, has also travelled to attend the service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, does not appear to have arrived through the main entrance. It is unknown if he is expected. The security and police presence is significant with a large section of the street cordoned off.
Earlier, a funeral-goer, Randolph Griffiths, who described himself as a “fifth-generation Australian Jew”, approached media to criticise the Albanese government’s response to antisemitism.
“We can talk and talk and talk,” he said, holding back tears. “We elect them to act.”
Updated at 19.23 EST
It is an emotional scene inside the synagogue. Different prayers are being read in both Hebrew and English by different rabbis. The room is packed with people, and many are standing.
Updated at 19.18 EST
Minns says 20 officers were on duty in Bondi area on day of shooting
Anne Davies
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has issued a statement clarifying police numbers at Bondi on Sunday when two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish festival in Archer Park.
My understanding is NSW police worked closely with CSG [Community Security Group] noting that there were a number of Chanukah events, including events in Bondi, North Bondi and Dover Heights.
I am advised there were around 20 NSW police officers on duty in the Bondi area, including two detectives, with at least three officers patrolling the park.
Yesterday, Minns and the NSW police commissioner issued a strong defence of the police response in the face of robust questioning from reporters:
Police cars are seen parked at at the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Photograph: George Chan/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 20.26 EST
Rabbi Eli Schlanger was ‘ripped away from us, doing what he loved best’
Rabbi Levi Wolff has started the funeral, saying, “Eli was ripped away from us, doing what he loved best.”
Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls.
This loss is massive for the entire Jewish nation, but for our community here, and for Chabad of Bondi, the loss is unspeakable.
Wolff speaks to his family, his parents, wife and children and describes him as a devoted family man.
He was much more than a rabbi to his congregants. He was a loving friend to his family. He was not just another family member. He was a mentor to his colleagues and friends.
He was more than just another rabbi. He was a force. Each one of us here will honor Ellie by also being so much more more Jewish, more proud, more loving, more attentive to our children, supportive of our friends, and involved in our community.
Funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger Photograph: Mark Baker/ReutersShare
Updated at 20.22 EST
Funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger begins
The funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger has started at a synagogue in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Updated at 19.17 EST
Minns, Spender arrive for funeral of Eli Schlanger
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has now arrived at the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
The premier, wearing a kippah, shook hands with members of the Jewish community outside. He was joined by the NSW minister for local government, Ron Hoenig, and the minister for fair trading, Anoulack Chanthivong.
Behind him was the federal member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, who embraced a member of the security staff.
The funeral for the London-born Schlanger is one of the first to take place following Sunday’s attack. He has been described as a “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people”.
Updated at 18.48 EST