The Morning Edition Bondi terror attack: On the ground after mass shooting
Dec 15, 2025
The recent mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach left the community shattered. Eyewitness accounts reveal harrowing moments as families fled for their lives. A heroic bystander bravely wrestled a gun away from a shooter, garnering national praise. Meanwhile, police discovered explosive devices linked to the attackers. The podcast delves into the shooters' backgrounds, their motivations, and troubling questions about gun access in Australia. Amidst the chaos, the Jewish community voices its fears and the need for unity and political action.
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Reporter Fleeing From The Beach
- Elias Visontay was swimming when gunshots began and he ran from the beach with hundreds of others, still dripping in seawater.
- He described the scene as surreal, hearing shots that "just didn't stop" and racing away with sandals left on the sand.
Mother Sheltering During Attack
- Jackie Cohen sheltered in a bathroom with her 12-year-old daughter after rushing from a nearby bar mitzvah when people fled the Hanukkah event.
- She heard chaos outside, was told there had been a shooting, and tried to remain calm while waiting it out.
Father-Son Team Attacked From Footbridge
- Two shooters, later identified as a father and son, ambushed attendees from a footbridge near Campbell Parade and fired until police arrived.
- Police arrived within minutes but it took about 45 minutes to stop the shooters, highlighting response complexity.