By Naziya Alvi Rahman
A beachgoer who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen has become an unexpected hero of the Dec. 14 shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Video filmed from a nearby apartment shows one of the attackers firing repeatedly toward crowds gathered along the foreshore before an unidentified man steps in and wrests the weapon from his hands.
The footage shows the shooter dressed in dark clothing, discharging a long firearm toward the beach.
A heavy-set man wearing a white shirt quietly approaches from behind and grabs the gun, pulling it free before pointing it back at the attacker.
The gunman falls to the ground, then stumbles away as the bystander places the seized weapon against a palm tree and throws an object in the shooter’s direction.
A South Asian man appears moments later and joins him.
Footage of the incident was circulated widely on social media.
Gunfire Continues From Bridge
The video then shows what appears to be a second armed man positioned on a nearby bridge.
As the bystander crouches behind a palm tree, more shots ring out from the bridge area.
Sirens echo across the beach while the people recording react in shock, with one voice heard saying, “Oh my god,” as gunfire continues even after the first shooter is disarmed.
Authorities later confirmed that the video aligns with their understanding of the early moments of the attack.
Investigators believe the two men operated together before one was restrained on the ground and the other continued firing from an elevated position.
Premier Praises Remarkable Bravery
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the footage captured an act of extraordinary courage.
Calling it “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen,” Minns said the bystander’s actions appeared to have saved numerous lives.
“A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people,” he said.
“That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
Police confirmed 12 people were killed in the attack, including one of the suspected gunmen who died at the scene. Another 29 were injured.
Two police officers who were struck during the confrontation are also among the injured and are undergoing surgery in a Sydney hospital.
Minns said several private schools, particularly in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, had indicated they would remain closed tomorrow.
Government schools are still being assessed, with the NSW Department of Education examining available options.
Parents have been urged to check official school updates before sending their children.The second alleged shooter was taken into police custody and remains in critical condition in hospital.
