Bondi Beach terror survivor describes how cops ‘froze’ during 20-minute shooting rampage: ‘I don’t understand why’

One of the survivors of the terror attack at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration said four police officers just “froze” during the 20-minute rampage on Sunday that killed 11.

Eyewitness Shmulik Scuri said he was with his family when the two suspects began firing at the crowd of worshippers from a nearby bridge.

“For 20 minutes. They shoot, shoot. Change magazines. And just shoot,” the witness told reporters.

Unidentified witness describing the Bondi Beach shooting incident.
The unidentified witness described the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach, which left 11 dead.

Two female police officers and three men walking on Bondi Beach after a shooting during a Hanukkah celebration.
He said that police officers “froze” during the terrorists’ 20-minute rampage.

Police officer standing next to a police car while a woman holds a child near Bondi Beach after a shooting incident.
“This cowardly act of terrified violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.BACKGRID
“Twenty minutes, there was four policemen there. Nobody give fire back. Nothing. Like they froze,” he said of the slow response. “I don’t understand why.”.”

When he was asked who the gunmen were targeting, he responded, “Everyone. Jews. Men, old, kids, everyone! It doesn’t matter.”

Scuri noted that one of the gunmen from the top of the bridge was freely reloading a rifle and handgun as he was firing at the crowd uninterrupted.

Footage shows the two terrorists, at least one of whom had a shotgun, firing round after round from a bridge overlooking the family-friendly Chanukah by the Sea 2025 event.

People gathered at Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration.
Beachgoers at the scene.BACKGRID

Video still showing a terrorist gunman on a bridge over Bondi Beach, Sydney.
Footage shows the two terrorists, at least one of whom had a shotgun, firing round after round from a bridge overlooking the family-friendly Chanukah by the Sea 2025 event.
It wasn’t until a local good Samaritan, a local fruit seller, disarmed one of the terrorists that police appeared to return fire, taking out one of the shooters, video shows.

Among the dead are a 12-year-old and British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41.

One of the suspected gunmen was killed at the scene while the other was taken into custody in critical condition, officials said.

People attending a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach reacting during a shooting.
Sunday’s attack is the deadliest shooting in Australia since April 1996.BACKGRID

People gathered on Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration, some lying on the ground, some standing.
A family-friendly Chanukah by the Sea 2025 event was happening on the beach when shots were fired.BACKGRID
One of the suspects has been identified as Naveed Akram, according to Australian media, with police raiding his home in the aftermath of the attack.

Improvised explosive devices were recovered from the deceased gunman’s vehicle at Bondi Beach, according to police.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the shooting as an “evil” attack targeting the local Jewish community during the holidays.

“This cowardly act of terrified violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney,” Minns said.

“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,” he said. “What should’ve been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”

Police said that one of the gunmen was on Australia’s Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) watchlist but wasn’t deemed “an immediate threat.”

Sunday’s attack is the deadliest shooting in Australia since April 1996, when 35 people were killed and 23 others were wounded during a shooting in Port Arthur, Tasmania