“In Australia, you probably read, a very brave person who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives. So, very brave person who’s right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. Great respect to that man.”
President Donald Trump praised the civilian who intervened during a deadly terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, saying the man’s actions helped save lives as authorities continue investigating the shooting that left at least 16 people dead.
“In Australia, you probably read, a very brave person who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives. So, very brave person who's right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. Great respect to that man,” Trump said.
The attack occurred Sunday during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where hundreds had gathered for an event hosted by Chabad marking the first day of the festival of lights. Gunmen opened fire in what officials believe was a targeted assault on the Jewish community. One of the attackers was killed at the scene, while the second was wounded and taken into custody. Two police officers were also injured during the roughly 10-minute attack.
Police later raided the home of Naveed Akram in the Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg. Akram is one of two men alleged to have carried out the shooting. Authorities said Akram’s identification was recovered at the scene, showing him to be 24 years old. According to reports cited by the Jerusalem Post, Akram studied at Central Queensland University in Sydney, Hamdard University in Islamabad, and the Al Murad Institute.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said improvised explosive devices were found in a vehicle near the attack site. Officials confirmed that the suspects were known to police, though not considered a high-level threat prior to the incident.
Police official Layton said that while one suspect had been on law enforcement’s radar, “the person that we know has very, very little knowledge to the police.” He added, “So he's not someone that we would have automatically been looking at at this time.”
Video footage circulating online shows one of the gunmen firing from a pedestrian bridge as people flee and police return fire. Officers later moved onto the bridge to apprehend the suspects.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, saying, “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.” The shooting took place despite Australia’s strict gun control laws.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued a statement, saying, “The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.”
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