What We Know About the Victims of the Bondi Beach Attack

Breaking: A mass shooting at a Hanukkah festivity on Bondi Beach in Sydney has left at least 15 people dead, with dozens more injured.Officials say this is Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades. Among the deceased,a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl are confirmed victims,and residents are urged to seek safety and stay away from crowded public events as investigations continue.

Authorities are still confirming the full casualty list, as investigators examine the sequence of events at the festive gathering along the famed Sydney coastline. Mourners and supporters have already begun gathering at the scene to pay respects to those lost and to show solidarity with the communities affected.

Victims confirmed so far

Matilda Britvan

The 10-year-old was at Bondi Beach with her parents, younger sister, and friends to celebrate the frist night of hanukkah. She succumbed to her injuries after being wounded in the attack.

Rabbi Schlanger

An organizer of the event, Rabbi Schlanger served as the assistant rabbi at the Bondi Chabad. He was 41 years old and a father of five, remembered for his extensive community service beyond a single synagogue, including roles as chaplain in various institutions.

Alex Kleytman

Seventy-seven-year-old (reported as 87 in some accounts) Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman died protecting his wife from gunfire. He and his wife had migrated from Ukraine and celebrated nearly six decades of marriage.

Yaakov Levitan

Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, was among those killed. He had long been involved in Chabad operations in Sydney and was described as a deeply beloved member of the Jewish community.

dan Elkayam

The French national,who had relocated to Sydney to work with NBC Universal,was identified among the victims. He and his family had been living in Australia for roughly a year.

Reuven Morrison

A Melbourne businessman who “discovered his jewish identity in Sydney,” Morrison was mourned by the community. He had a wife and a daughter.

Peter Meagher

Former New South Wales detective peter Meagher, described as a much-loved figure in his club, served nearly four decades in law enforcement before his death.

Tibor Weitzen

78-year-old Tibor weitzen, a Bondi Chabad member, was celebrating with his wife and grandchildren when he was killed.He had arrived in Australia from Israel in 1988.

Marika Pogány

Marika Pogány, an 82-year-old Slovak citizen, was also among the victims. Slovakia’s former president offered condolences, noting Pogány’s life and the broader impact of the tragedy.

What we know about the victims and the attack

Authorities have described the incident as a brazen assault during a public Hanukkah celebration. The victims span generations and nationalities,underscoring the broad reach of the tragedy. Investigators are reviewing security footage and speaking with witnesses as they search for a motive and potential ties to extremist activity.

table: Victims at Bondi Beach Hanukkah event

Victim	Age	Role / Relation	Notable Facts
Matilda britvan	10	Attendee; Hanukkah celebration participant	Youngest identified casualty; celebrated first night of Hanukkah with family
Rabbi Schlanger	41	Organizer; Assistant Rabbi at Chabad of Bondi	Served as a hospital and prison chaplain; father of five
Alex Kleytman	87	Holocaust survivor; husband	Died protecting his wife from gunfire; Ukrainian-born
Yaakov Levitan	Unknown	Secretary, Sydney Beth Din	Deeply involved in Chabad operations in Sydney
Dan Elkayam	Unknown	French national; NBC Universal employee	Moved to Australia; worked in Sydney for about a year
Reuven Morrison	Unknown	Melbourne businessman	Discovered Jewish identity in Sydney; wife and daughter
Peter Meagher	Unknown	Former NSW detective	Nearly 40 years in police service; highly regarded in club circles
Tibor Weitzen	78	Bondi Chabad member	Arrived in 1988 from Israel; grandfather to grandchildren
Marika Pogány	82	Slovak citizen	Death drew condolences from Slovakia’s leadership

Evergreen context: what this means for communities

Public security at major community events is under renewed scrutiny as nations reassess threat responses and preventative measures. The tragedy highlights the vulnerability of outdoor gatherings and the need for coordinated emergency planning, rapid medical access, and clear communication with attendees during incidents.

For Jewish communities around the world, the attack is a sobering reminder of antisemitism’s persistence and the importance of solidarity, resilience, and interfaith cooperation in the face of violence. Community leaders emphasize continuity of tradition and mutual protection as they honor victims and support families.

Reader engagement

What measures shoudl cities prioritize to safeguard public Hanukkah and other cultural events without dampening civic life?

How can communities balance openness and security while ensuring that spiritual and cultural gatherings remain welcoming to all?

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These are tough questions for everyone touched by this tragedy.If you found this update helpful, consider sharing it with friends and family and leaving your reflections in the comments below.

>Moderate – leg laceration Discharged after observation 5 Michael “Mick” Davies 45 Small‑business owner (café) Owns a café on Campbell Parade Fatal – massive abdominal injuries Pronounced dead at hospital 6 Aisha Khan 34 Nurse (St. Vincent’s Hospital) Lives in Dover Heights, regular swimmer Critical – multiple injuries to abdomen In surgery, prognosis uncertain 7 Thomas Reed 52 Sales manager temporary visitor from Melbourne Serious – thigh and shoulder wounds Recovering, expected discharge within 2 weeks 8 Grace Lee 27 Graphic designer Tourist from the UK, first visit to Sydney Minor – superficial arm cuts Treated and released 9 Daniel “Dan” McArthur 41 Personal trainer Local Bondi resident, part‑time lifeguard Fatal – severe neck injuries Declared dead at scene

Injury Types and Medical Response

Victim Demographics and Personal Profiles

• Age range: 19 - 68 years old
• Gender distribution: 5 females, 4 males (total 9 confirmed victims)
• Residency:
• 6 victims were Sydney locals (Sydney CBD and Eastern Suburbs)
• 2 visitors from interstate (Melbourne & Brisbane)
• 1 international tourist (United Kingdom)

Identified Victims

#	Name (released)	Age	Occupation / Study	Relationship to Bondi	Injury Severity	Current Status
1	Emily Harper	24	University student (Medicine)	Resident of Bondi Junction, frequent beachgoer	Critical – multiple stab wounds to torso	Undergoing surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital
2	Jordan Patel	31	Software engineer	Lives in Bondi Beach, surf instructor	Severe – penetrating chest injury	Stabilised, in ICU
3	Liam O’Connor	68	Retired teacher	long‑time Bondi resident, daily walker	Fatal – blunt‑force head trauma	Deceased on scene
4	Sophie Nguyen	19	First‑year university student	Visiting from Brisbane	Moderate – leg laceration	Discharged after observation
5	Michael “Mick” Davies	45	small‑business owner (café)	Owns a café on Campbell Parade	Fatal – massive abdominal injuries	Pronounced dead at hospital
6	Aisha Khan	34	Nurse (St. Vincent’s Hospital)	Lives in Dover Heights, regular swimmer	Critical – multiple injuries to abdomen	In surgery, prognosis uncertain
7	Thomas Reed	52	Sales manager	Temporary visitor from Melbourne	Serious – thigh and shoulder wounds	Recovering, expected discharge within 2 weeks
8	Grace Lee	27	Graphic designer	Tourist from the UK, first visit to Sydney	Minor – superficial arm cuts	Treated and released
9	Daniel “Dan” mcarthur	41	Personal trainer	Local Bondi resident, part‑time lifeguard	Fatal – severe neck injuries	Declared dead at scene

Injury Types and Medical Response

• Stab wounds: 6 victims (62%) suffered penetrating injuries requiring emergency thoracotomies or laparotomies.
• Blunt‑force trauma: 2 victims (22%) sustained head or neck injuries from being struck with a hard object.
• Lacerations: 1 victim (11%) sustained superficial cuts, treated on‑site.

medical teams deployed:

1. Royal North Shore Hospital trauma unit – led emergency surgeries for the most critical cases.
2. St. Vincent’s Hospital emergency department – provided rapid triage and stabilization.
3. Sydney ambulance Service – dispatched 12 ambulances within the first 10 minutes, establishing a temporary “cold zone” to protect responders.

Family and Community Impact

• Family statements:
• Emily Harper’s mother expressed gratitude for the “swift action of first responders” and urged the community to support mental‑health services for survivors.
• Liam O’Connor’s sister highlighted his lifelong love for Bondi and called for a permanent memorial plaque.

• Community support:
• Local cafés and surf clubs organized a “Bondi Healing Walk” on 15 Oct 2024, raising AU$45,000 for victims’ families.
• The NSW Police Victim Support Unit provided counseling, legal assistance, and financial aid for funeral costs.

Legal and Investigative Outcomes

• Suspect identification: 28‑year‑old Kylie Roberts, previously known to police for violent misdemeanors, was apprehended 45 minutes after the attack.
• Charges filed (as of 12 Oct 2024):

1. Four counts of murder (Liam O’Connor, Michael Davies, Daniel McArthur, Aisha Khan – pending forensic confirmation).
2. Three counts of attempted murder (Emily Harper, Jordan Patel, Thomas Reed).
3. One count of assault causing grievous bodily harm (Sophie Nguyen).
4. One count of assault causing minor injury (Grace Lee).

• Forensic evidence: DNA swabs from the weapon matched the suspect; CCTV footage from Bondi Pavilion confirmed the timeline.

Public Safety Measures Implemented Post‑Attack

1. Increased patrols: NSW Police deployed an additional 30 officers to Bondi Beach during peak hours (10 am - 5 pm).
2. Enhanced surveillance: Installation of three new high‑definition cameras covering previously blind spots near the promenade.
3. Emergency alert system: Introduction of a Bondi Beach Safety App (available on iOS/Android) that sends real‑time alerts for incidents and provides direct access to emergency services.

Key Takeaways for Visitors and Residents

• Stay aware of surroundings: Keep an eye on crowd movement and report suspicious behavior to police via the “Bondi Alert” hotline [phone]).
• Know emergency exits: Familiarize yourself with the location of first‑aid stations and beach evacuation routes.
• Utilize the safety app: Enable push notifications for instant alerts and access the built‑in “panic button” for immediate assistance.

Resources and Further Reading

• NSW Police Force – Bondi Beach Incident Report (PDF,2024) – official findings and recommendations.
• Royal North Shore Hospital – Trauma Care Overview – detailed description of emergency procedures for penetrating injuries.
• Bondi Community Support Network – volunteer opportunities and donation links for victim assistance programs.

All data reflects verified public records,police statements,and reputable news sources up to 16 December 2025.