‘Heartfelt gratitude’: Constables Scott Dyson, Jack Hibbert revealed as police injured during Bondi terror attack as families break silence

WARNING: Distressing

One of the police officers injured during the horrific Bondi Beach massacre risks losing vision in his eye as he undergoes surgery in hospital.

Probationary constable Jack Hibbert and constable Scott Dyson were both injured responding to the attack, allegedly perpetrated by father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, at Chanukah By The Sea in Bondi on Sunday night.

16 people have died and another 26 remain in hospital.

9 News reports Constable Hibbert has undergone surgery to his shoulder and eye at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, but may risk losing sight in that eye.

He remains in a serious but stable condition.

Constable Dyson also remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

“The families of the two injured officers wish to pass on their thoughts to the loved ones of those who were killed and injured in the Bondi shooting tragedy,” the families of both officers said in a statement, issued by NSW Police.

“They also want to express their heartfelt gratitude to all first responders who acted with courage, in particular the police officers and paramedics who responded. They also wish to thank their hospital team, and especially those in ICU.

“They thank the community for their support but have asked for privacy as their loved ones focus on recovery and healing.”

On Monday night, the sails of the Sydney Opera House were lit up in tribute for those who died in the terror attack.

Grandmother named as latest Bondi victim

A grandmother killed in Sunday’s horrific Bondi Beach massacre has been identified, with family remembering her as an “amazing” woman in the wake of the terror attack.

Marika Pogany, 82, is the latest victim of the shooting to be identified.

Ms Pogany has been remembered for her charity work with the organisation Meals on Wheels, having delivered 12,000 kosher meals over her 23 years of service.

On Facebook, one friend remembered her as a “beautiful friend”.

Her friends told 9 News she was an “amazing person” and they were “very fond of her”, while others described her as “kind, warm and deeply loved” to The Daily Telegraph.

“A beautiful soul taken far too soon. My thoughts are with her family, and with all the families and victims affected by this heartbreaking event,” they told the outlet.

Speaking on the ABC’s 7.30 Report, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his heart went out to the grieving families of those who lost loved ones.

“The clear advice we have at this point is there’s no evidence of collusion, no evidence these people (Naveed and Sajid Akram) were part of a cell,” he told the program.

“Further detail will be released when police go through their work.”

The surviving gunman, Naveed Akram, remains in a coma.

Mr Albanese acknowledged Mr Akram was not on a watchlist and was investigated over his connections with two other individuals.

“(ASIO) determined there was no evidence of this person planning or considering, or indeed promoting, any act of violence or any act which could be deemed to be antisemitic,” he said.

“That investigation went for six months.

“It might be they attended a similar event … but there was no evidence they found at the time.”

Mr Albanese said this event differed from the infamous Port Arthur massacre due to the fact it was a “targeted” attack.

“We are looking at the gun laws … we are also looking at issues like customs, over what can come in,” he said.

Shock alleged find in Bondi attackers’ car

An Islamic State flag has allegedly been found in a car used by the terrorists behind the Bondi Beach massacre.

The Daily Telegraph reports the discovery was made by police inside the vehicle used by Sajid and Naveed Akram’s vehicle on Sunday night.

During a press conference earlier in the day, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declined to elaborate on questions surrounding whether the flag had been recovered or not.

“That’s all part of the investigation … I’d rather not comment on that right at the moment,” Commissioner Lanyon told reporters on Monday.

“Obviously, we will look at the motives behind this attack and I think that’s really important as part of the investigation.

“Our investigation will be thorough and we will be happy to provide further information.”

Chaos at Bondi massacre vigil

A woman accused of “breaching the peace” at a vigil for the 15 killed in the Bondi Beach massacre has been escorted away by police.

The death toll of the massacre targeting the Chanukah by the Sea event has now climbed to 15 innocent people, with at least 40 people injured.

The shooting, allegedly carried out by father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, was declared a terror attack.

It unfolded shortly before 7pm on Sunday.

A 67-year-old woman wearing a keffiyah was escorted away from a memorial at the beach on Monday afternoon.

Photos have captured her being led away from the scene by several police officers.

She has been accused of “breaching the peace”.

“A 67-year-old woman has been issued a move on direction after allegedly breaching the peace during a vigil at Bondi this afternoon,” a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed.

She has not been charged over the alleged incident.

New details about alleged terrorists revealed

Addressing the media, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed Naveed Akram was born in Australia.

His father, Sajid, arrived in 1998 on a student visa, he said.

“(That was) transferred in 2001 to a partner visa, and after each trip overseas since then, has been on resident return visas, which has occurred three times,” he said.

Mr Burke would not confirm whether Sajid had arrived from Pakistan.

Anthony Albanese said an assessment conducted by ASIO “because of the son’s associations that he had at the time” in 2019.

“The investigation went for a period of six months,” he said.

The assessment is understood to have been in regard to Naveed’s associations and “rather than at that point there being a personal motivation from him”.

The Prime Minister also confirmed gun reform would be on the agenda during a meeting of national cabinet on Monday afternoon.

Those would include “limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals” and a review of licenses over a period of time.

“People’s circumstances change,” he said.

“People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity, and checks, of course, making sure that those checks and balances are in place as well.”

Third bomb found at scene

Police revealed two active bombs were found at the scene on Sunday evening and were taken by the rescue and bomb disposal unit.

They were described as “fairly basic in construction”.

It has since been revealed that a third bomb was found at the scene on Monday.

How father and son got the guns

New details of how the father and son who allegedly carried out the massacre got their hands on the lethal weapons has been revealed.

Sajid, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Naveed, 24, was taken to hospital under police guard where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Police have revealed the father had a gun licence for about 10 years and was in possession of six firearms.

“The father has held a firearms licence since 2015. We are very much working through the background of both persons at this stage,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said at a press conference.

“We know very little about them.”

Naveed will likely be charged, as police indicate he is likely to recover from his injuries.

“Based on his medical condition it is likely that that person may face criminal charges,” Mr Lanyon said.

Mr Lanyon declined to comment whether any red flags were raised about Sajid’s gun license following reports Naveed was allegedly under investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation six years ago.

“I certainly can’t talk about what information the Commonwealth may have it, but in terms of a firearms licence, the firearms registry conduct a thorough examination of all applications to ensure a person is fit and proper to hold a firearms licence,” Mr Lanyon said.

Police have seized six firearms from the scene and from a location in Campsie, which was searched by police on Sunday night.

Police are not looking for any other offenders.

26 patients being treated: NSW Health

Multiple patients are still fighting for life in the wake of the shooting, NSW Health has confirmed.

In an update on Monday evening afternoon, a spokesperson said twenty-six patients receiving care in several Sydney hospitals for their injuries.

Three patients are in a stable condition at Prince of Wales Hospital.

One patient is in a critical condition, and two patients are in a stable condition at St George Hospital.

One patient is in a stable condition at Sydney Eye Hospital.

Three patients are in a critical condition and two patients are in a critical but stable condition at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Three patients are in a critical condition, two patients are in a critical but stable condition and one patient is stable at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Three patients are in a stable condition at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.

One patient is in a critical but stable condition and two patients are in a stable condition at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Two patients are in a stable condition at Liverpool Hospital.

Victims identified

Some of those killed in the terror attack have now been identified.

French soccer player Dan Elkayam was one of those killed, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying his thoughts were with the man’s loved ones.

Beloved rabbi Eli Schlanger, head of the Chabad mission in Bondi, was also killed in the attack.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, has been identified as another of the victims, as well as Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.

Grandfather Reuven Morrison was also gunned down.

Tributes have begun to flow online for photographer Peter Meagher, who was also killed in the attack.

Australian Council of Jewry chief executive Alex Ryvchin has told CNN a friend of his had “lost his 12-year-old daughter” in the attack. Police earlier confirmed a 10-year-old girl was among those killed.

A community reception centre to assist families of those affected by the shooting has been set up at the InterContinental Sydney on Arden St.

“The centre has been designated as a location for family and witnesses to speak to investigators and support officers during the early stages of the investigations,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“Loved ones of those affected by the shooting and witnesses of the shooting are being urged to attend the centre and speak to support officers and investigators.”

‘Hate words’ progressed to ‘hateful action’

Anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal says the “hate words” over the last year had progressed to “hateful action”.

“This event yesterday, I think, just highlighted the fact that the hate words that we’ve seen over the last year has progressed to hateful action is what happens,” Ms Segal said.

“That is what happened in history and that’s what has happened here. So there’s even greater urgency in tackling those area that is I identified.”

She urged Labor to fully implement her official recommendations to combat racial hatred against Jews.

“I had 13 different recommendations, and a number of them were focused on education, dealing with the situation in universities and in schools,” she told the ABC.

Ms Segal claimed hatred of Jews was being “propagated” on social media.

“This event yesterday, I think, just highlighted the fact that the hateful words that we’ve seen over the last year has progressed to hateful action, and that is what happens,” she said.

“That is what’s happened in history, and that’s what’s happened here.

“So there’s even greater urgency in tackling those areas that I identified, more work in relation to de radicalisation, more work in relation to education, broadly and into various hot spots, whether it’s in the arts or the health sector, where we are seeing anti-Semitism rise up.”

Her report has not received a formal response from the government since it released its recommendations in July.

Disturbing detail overlooked in gunman’s wallet

Beach closed ‘until further notice’

Bondi Beach and the Pavilion will remain closed until further notice, a Waverley Council spokesperson says.

“As the gravity of yesterday’s deplorable terror attack at Bondi Beach sinks in, our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, our Jewish residents and the entire Waverley community,” the spokesperson said.

“Anti-Semitism is not just a problem for Jewish people – it is a threat to all Australians and our way of life. As we have seen, hatred has far-reaching and devastating consequences.

“Together, we must all take a stand to ensure Jewish Australians feel safe and supported.

“As we come to terms with this horrific attack, we know all Australians will be holding Waverley in their hearts and prayers. Thank you to everyone who has expressed support and love to our community during this time.”

‘Everything must change’: Ley

Sussan Ley has demanded Labor overhaul its approach to tackling anti-Semitism in the wake of Sunday’s horror shooting.

“There is palpable anger, because anti-Semitism in Australia has been left to fester,” the Opposition Leader said.

She claimed the government had shown “a clear lack of leadership” and Jewish Australians were experiencing a sense of “bewilderment”.

“We have a government that sees anti-Semitism as a problem to be managed, not evil that needs to be eradicated,” she said.

“Everything must change from today in how governments respond.”

Ms Ley branded the massacre as the “darkest day” in Australian history since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, in which 35 people were killed.

“Australians will remember where they were on the day of the Bondi massacre and they will remember the feelings of overwhelming disbelief and shock that they felt,” she said.

“Those who saw the murderous massacre first hand and lost loved ones will be changed forever.

“I sought an assurance from the prime minister that I would receive the necessary security briefings from our agencies and police, and I was told that would happen today.”

Palestine Action Group condemn violence

The Palestine Action Group says it was shocked and absolutely horrified by the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach that targeted the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.

“Our thoughts are with all those who have suffered due to this appalling attack, with the families of all the dead, and especially with the Jewish community,” it said in a statement on Monday morning.

“No one, anywhere in Sydney or anywhere in the world, should have to live in fear of terrorism or racist hate.

“We salute the heroic actions of Ahmed al Ahmed, who bravely tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen, saving countless lives, and being shot twice in the process.

“We reiterate our complete condemnation of anti-Semitism and all other forms of racism.”

‘Extraordinary’ bravery

Off-duty police from as far as Newcastle came to aid their colleagues in Bondi in the hours following the shooting tragedy, according to Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

She lashed out at critics of the force’s response to the shooting, which has claimed the lives of 15 people, as she praised the “extraordinary” bravery of officers on the ground.

“I will not tolerate people being critical of the police, they were here,” she told the media at Bondi on Monday morning.

Ms Catley revealed that when she attended Bondi Police Station with Premier Chris Minns, there were “at least 60” off-duty officers who had come into the station.

“They came to be with their colleagues, they came to that call,” she said.

“They weren’t asked to be there, there were some that came from as far as Newcastle … they all came here to be with the community, to be with their colleagues and to keep our community safe.”

Ms Catley said that the state government would look into firearms licensing legislation amid reports.

Questions about the state’s firearms licensing legislation were “fair” according to Ms Catley after reports emerge that the 50-year-old gunman was licensed to own guns in NSW and had used registered guns in the massacre.

“We will be looking at the legislation in relation to firearms licensing, but we are very early in the investigation,” she said.

10yo killed in massacre

A 10-year-old girl is among the 15 killed in the horror attack.

A 40-year-old man has also died in hospital.

Fourteen people died at the scene and 42 were taken to hospital.

The ages of the deceased range between 10 and 87, police say. They are yet to be formally identified.

A constable and probationary constable suffered gunshot wounds during the massacre: they are both in a serious but stable condition.

Paramedics ‘under fire’

Paramedics arrived on the scene within 10 minutes of reports of a shooting, with some transporting people while “under fire”, Mr Minns said at a press conference on Monday morning.

“Thank you to the paramedics who in some cases under fire transported the injured to NSW hospitals,” Mr Minns said.

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said initiatives learned from the 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing incident, during which six people were killed, contributed to saving lives as Sunday’s massacre unfolded.

“I Have been advised of amazing heroism by paramedics, who worked seamlessly and diligently with police and the community, and I am convinced this teamwork and joint agency approach, plus initiatives learned from the Bondi Westfield incident, contributed to saving lives that would otherwise have been lost,” Dr Morgan said.

He also offered his condolences to the victims, families, friends, and all those affected my the attack.

‘Act of pure evil’: Albo

Mr Minns, along with Mr Albanese, condemned the massacre and emphasised there was no place for anti-Semitism in NSW and Australia.

“What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil and act of anti-Semitism,” Mr Albanese said.

He said the iconic beach would be “forever tarnished” by the attack.

“This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which of course should be a joyous celebration, and the Jewish community are hurting today,” he said.

“We stand with you, we will do whatever is necessary to stamp out anti-Semitism. It is a scourge and we will eradicate it together.”

Flags will fly at half mast across the country today.

Mr Minns urged anyone looking to help should donate blood if able, while Mr Lanyon emphasised this is not a time for the community to be seeking retribution.

The beach and surrounding roads remain closed on Monday, with the local council urging people not to visit the beach as investigations continue.

Mr Albanese visited the scene of the massacre early on Monday morning, laying a bouquet of flowers.

11 fighting for life

Eleven people were fighting for life as of 8am on Monday, NSW Health confirmed.

They were all in critical condition at various hospitals across Sydney, a spokesman said.

A child died at Sydney Children’s Hospital, where one person is critical and two patients are stable.

One person also died at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA).

Three people are critical but stable, another is critical, and one is stable at RPA.

Twelve people are stable at Prince of Wales, one is critical and two are stable at St George Hospital, one is stable at Sutherland Hospital, and another is critical at the Sydney Eye Hospital.

Over at St Vincent’s Hospital, three victims are critical, five are stable, and two have been treated and discharged.

One person is critical but stable and another is stable at Royal North Shore Hospital, while two patients are stable at Liverpool Hospital.

More to come …