On Sunday, Dec. 14., there was a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Families were at the beach celebrating the start of Hanukkah. At 6:30 p.m., a man and his son fired on the crowd from an elevated bridge looking down on the party below.
In the chaos, there were civilians trying to help people, including a man who risked his life and attacked the older gunman. His name is Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43 year old fruit shop owner, who was shot twice in the arm and hand by the second gunman.
By the time shots subsided, 14 were dead including the older gunman who was shot by one of the policemen on site. The shooters’ motive was unclear; however, police have indicated that the attack may have targeted Jewish individuals in the context of a documented increase in antisemitic incidents in Australia.
“It feels very upsetting because I have family friends there who live in Bondi Beach,” freshman Sydney Holloman said. “I also saw a strict no gun policy was implemented 24 hours after the shooting. Apparently, they didn’t have one before,”
The event occurring at Bondi Beach was called Chanukah by the Sea. The public event was held to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. The gathering featured live entertainment, music, games, and dancing.
About 1,000 people gathered for the celebration and it was held in Archer Park, just east of the beach. The organizers of the event was Chabad of Bond, a local branch of the global Orthodox Jewish movement.
“I think it was horrible. Hanukkah is a holiday just as much as Christmas,” freshman Hannah Gogermin said. “Discrimination against Jews is unfair.”
The suspects who committed this crime are a 24 year-old man and his 50 year-old father. They are suspected to be involved with the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) because their getaway vehicle clearly displayed an ISIS flag on the windshield.
“I woke up that morning in shock, sadness, disbelief, and anger. Living in California, I find myself dreaming of returning home every day,” history faculty Jason Enevoldson said. “To the brave good Samaritan who took out one of the gunmen, what a legend. Thank you. To the families and friends who lost a loved one, my heart goes out to you all.”
Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, called the mass shooting an evil act and reinforced the idea that Australia would not submit to terrorism. He continues by highlighting the man who risked his life by attacking the older gunman, labeling him as a hero who saved lives.
“I thought the shooting was horrible and disrespectful to the people who were celebrating their culture and heritage,” Holloman said. “When I’m going to Australia, I will keep in mind the horrible event and honor the memory of those lost.”
