Screenshot of a video at the courtesy of Mike Ortiz shows beach-goers fleeing Bondi Beach after gunmen opened fire, in Sydney on December 14, 2025. Suspected shooters opened fire at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, killing at 12 people and wounding multiple others. Photo: AFP

A hero bystander received widespread applause after he wrestled a rifle off a suspected gunman during a mass shooting on Sunday at Sydney's Bondi Beach, a famous tourist site, which left at least 12 people killed and multiple injured as of press time. 

Police say one shooter was killed, while another is in custody, The Guardian reported. At least 29 people were taken to hospital. Authorities declared the incident a terrorist attack,

Local police said late Sunday that they were investigating a possible third gunman, confirming the shooting had been declared a terrorist incident. He said police believed they had located several improvised explosive devices in a vehicle near the shooting shortly after the incident, according to the Guardian.  

The Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney reminded Chinese nationals in New South Wales, including staff of Chinese-funded enterprises and institutions, Chinese expatriates, Chinese overseas students, and tourists, to pay close attention to the local security situation, raise personal safety awareness, take appropriate safety precautions, keep mobile phones accessible, and promptly call local police and emergency hotlines in case of danger.

Authorities say there is no longer an active threat but have urged people to avoid the area, ABC reported. 

During the incident, a moment touched many people was a hero bystander wrestled a rifle off a suspected gunman, demonstrating bravery that may have saved lives, according to the footage from the mass shooting scene at Bondi Beach in Sydney, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday. 

The bystander, in white shirt and black pants, first approached the shooter as close as possible while remaining out of sight. When he was close enough, he pounces, wrapping his arms around the gunman and wrestling with him until he's able to pry the rifle out of gunman's hands. The gunman then falls backwards onto the ground as the bystander picks up the rifle and aims it at him.

The hero bystander's action was overwhelmed by a slew of praises from many netizens. 

Many members of the Jewish community had assembled at the beach to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday of Lights, earlier in the evening, Xinhua reported. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes at Bondi were "shocking and distressing," according to AFP. "My thoughts are with every person affected," he said in a statement. 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Sunday's shooting in Sydney as a "cruel attack on Jews" and urged Australia to step up the fight against antisemitism, AFP reported.

Global Times