A man was fatally shot during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025, prompting an immediate police response and community alarm. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 PM local time during a public menorah lighting ceremony attended by over 300 people.
- One fatality and one non-life-threatening injury reported during Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach.
- Event attended by approximately 300 people, including members of the Sydney Jewish community.
- Attack occurred at 6:45 PM AEDT on December 14, 2025, during the ninth night of Hanukkah.
- Over 150 police officers involved in manhunt and investigation, with CCTV footage secured.
- 40% increase in emergency hotline calls to the Sydney Jewish Community Centre post-incident.
- Increased security measures now in place for upcoming cultural and religious events in Sydney.
A fatal shooting disrupted a Hanukkah observance at Bondi Beach in Sydney on the evening of December 14, 2025, during a public menorah lighting ceremony. Authorities confirmed one fatality and one injury, with the perpetrator believed to have fled the scene. The incident unfolded at around 6:45 PM AEDT, when a crowd of approximately 300 individuals—comprising local residents, Jewish community members, and visitors—gathered near the eastern end of the beach to mark the festival of lights. The attack occurred seconds after the ninth candle was lit, marking the final night of Hanukkah. Police confirmed the victim was a 48-year-old man, identified as a regular attendee of the annual event. He sustained a single gunshot wound to the torso, later pronounced dead at Royal North Shore Hospital. A second individual, a 22-year-old woman, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by debris during the chaos. Surveillance footage from nearby CCTV systems has been secured, and a city-wide manhunt is underway involving over 150 officers and forensic teams. The incident has triggered a significant security reassessment across Sydney’s public spaces, particularly for religious and cultural gatherings. The Sydney Jewish Community Centre reported a 40% spike in emergency hotline calls within one hour of the shooting. Local authorities have since announced increased police patrols at all major public events through the end of the year, with additional resources allocated to Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh community observances. While no group has claimed responsibility, investigations are focusing on a possible motive tied to the timing of the attack, coinciding with a major religious observance. The Australian Federal Police have made no public statements regarding potential links to broader security concerns. The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerability of open-air communal events in urban centers amid rising global tensions.