Police charge alleged Bondi Beach attacker - as funerals begin for victims

A 24-year-old man alleged to be one of two gunmen responsible for the Bondi Beach mass shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people, has been charged.

Police said Naveed Akram, who allegedly opened fire on a Jewish event on the beach in Sydney, had been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and a terror charge.

The other alleged attacker, his 50-year-old father Sajid, died at the scene on Sunday.

The charges came as mourners gathered for funerals three days after the terror attack which shocked Australia and left 15 victims dead, intensifying concerns about rising antisemitism.

Some 22 people remain in hospital following the shooting, carried out at an event marking the start of Hanukkah.

At the first of the services relatives marked the death of British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41 year-old father of five, who organised Sunday's Chanukah by the Sea event where the attack unfolded

Often speaking through tears, his father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, expressed his "biggest regret" that he "could have done more" to tell him "how much we love him".

"I hope he knew that. I'm sure he knew it," he added. "But I think it should've been said more often."

The father of 10-year-old victim Matilda, whose surnames has been withheld on family request, spoke at a vigil on Tuesday night. Local media reported him as saying: "We came here from Ukraine … and I thought that Matilda is the most Australian name that can ever exist.

"So just remember the name, remember her."

Read more: Who were the suspected gunmen?

Police have said the two alleged gunmen - who were shot by officers - were motivated by Islamic State ideology.

A recent trip to the southern Philippines is under investigation. The older Akram used an Indian passport to travel, while his son used an Australian one.

Their declared destination was Davao City - an area associated with Islamic extremism.

New South Wales to debate gun reforms

The Australian government and intelligence services have come under pressure because the alleged attackers were legally able to acquire the high-powered rifles and shotguns used in the attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to toughen the country's gun laws after its deadliest mass shooting in three decades, and the state parliament in New South Wales will reconvene next week to discuss reforms.

They include capping the number of guns allowed by a single person and making some shotguns harder to access.

State premier Chris Minns told a news conference: "We've got a monumental task in front of us. It's huge.

"It's a huge responsibility to pull the community together.

"We need a summer of calm and togetherness, not division."

Mr Albanese has vowed to work with the Jewish community to "stamp out and eradicate antisemitism". The prime minister has been accused of not doing enough to prevent its spread since the war in Gaza began two years ago.

Fellow world leaders have expressed their shock and anguish since the attack, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who hosted a Hanukkah event at Downing Street on Tuesday.

And speaking at the White House last night, US President Donald Trump said: "We join in mourning all of those who were killed, and we're praying for the swift recovery of the wounded."

Follow the latest on this story in our dedicated blog.

(c) Sky News 2025: Police charge alleged Bondi Beach attacker - as funerals begin for victims