Mass Shooting Rocks Sydney, At Least 9 Dead as Iconic Beach Turns Into Killing Zone
CNEWS | SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — A gun attack shattered Australia’s most iconic tourist destination, Bondi Beach, on Sunday (December 14, 2025), turning a family-packed summer evening into a scene of terror. At least nine people were killed in the mass shooting, according to New South Wales (NSW) Police.
Police confirmed one gunman was killed, while another suspect remains in critical condition.
At least 11 people were injured, including two police officers responding to the incident.
Authorities described the situation as active and highly sensitive, with a strict exclusion zone established around the beach as specialist units comb through the area.
“These are shocking and deeply distressing scenes,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an official statement.
“Police and emergency responders are on the ground, working tirelessly to save lives.”
GUNFIRE ERUPTS IN FAMILY BEACH ZONE
Eyewitnesses described chaos unfolding within seconds after repeated gunshots rang out.
Belinda Clemens, who was sitting near the northern end of Bondi Beach, initially mistook the sound for fireworks.
“It sounded like fireworks, then people started running in every direction,” she told CNN.
“I saw shots hitting the water, with spray shooting into the air.”
Several swimmers reportedly fled further out to sea, too afraid to return to shore. Videos recorded at the scene show groups of people clinging to surfboards, waiting for the shooting to stop.
The beach, moments earlier filled with families and summer celebrations, was rapidly abandoned. Shoes, beer cans, and birthday cakes were left scattered across the sand.
“This is a family area. It’s heartbreaking,” Clemens said.
MASS PANIC, BLOOD EVERYWHERE
Another witness, Harry Wilson (30), told local media he saw at least 10 people lying on the ground, surrounded by blood.
Meanwhile, Amy Gunia, a CNN journalist who was at the scene with her young children, said the atmosphere shifted from calm to sheer panic in seconds.
“I remember thinking, this is Australia. This isn’t supposed to happen here,” she said.
Fitness-tracking data from her husband’s phone indicated they began running uphill to escape the area at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time, as police helicopters continued circling overhead well into the night.
SECURITY CONTEXT & POSSIBLE PUBLIC EVENT LINK
Local outlet The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the shooting occurred during a public gathering at the beach. A leader from Australia’s Jewish community told local broadcasters the event was linked to a Hanukkah celebration, which began at sundown.
However, NSW Police have not confirmed any motive or ideological background behind the attack.
Authorities stressed there were no reports of related incidents elsewhere in Sydney, but confirmed that multiple suspicious items found near the scene are being examined by specialist bomb-disposal units.
INVESTIGATION ONGOING
As of publication:
- One suspect confirmed dead
- One suspect in critical condition
- Exclusion zone remains in force
- Official police press conference expected shortly
Once a symbol of leisure and freedom, Bondi Beach now stands as the site of one of the deadliest gun attacks in modern Australian history.
CNEWS will continue to deliver verified, exclusive, and balanced updates as the investigation unfolds.
(RI.RED)
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