The two shooters responsible for the tragic killing of 15 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday have been identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24.
Sajid Akram died at the scene, while Naveed remains in critical condition in hospital following his arrest, according to BBC.
The attack occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, a Jewish holiday commemorating the 2nd-century BCE victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the two perpetrators were seen shooting at running and visibly panicked civilians.
At one point, a heroic bystander was filmed wrestling a gun from an attacker wearing a black shirt and white pants.
In a display of bravery, the 43-year-old fruit vendor, Ahmed al Ahmed was captured on film running up to one of the gunmen from behind before wrestling a long-barreled gun from him.
According to ABC News, Ahmed was shot four or five times in the shoulder.
His parents, Mohammed Fateh Al Ahmed and Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed, told the outlet that he was receiving treatment and praised his noble act of bravery.
His mother said, “He saw they were dying, and people were losing their lives, and when that guy [the shooter] ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit. We pray that God saves him.”
His father added, “At the same moment, his [the armed man’s] other friend was on the bridge … it seems he had a sniper rifle, or I don’t know, he tried to kill him and hit him in his shoulder.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that he would push for tougher gun laws following the brutal attack. He noted that the 50-year-old attacker had attained a firearms license for recreational hunting purposes.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott also weighed in on the tragedy, telling Radio 4’s Today programme, “I am appalled as an Australian that the worst atrocity against Jews anywhere in the world since 7 October has now taken place here in Australia.”
Naveed Akram, who had a job laying bricks, caught the eye of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in October 2019, according to Prime Minister Albanese.
He was monitored for six months due to alleged connections to certain people. ABC News said the police’s anti-terror investigation looked into a group linked to the Islamic State terrorist organisation.
Albanese said, “Naveed Akram was examined based on being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence.”
Following the disturbing videos of the shooting online, many on social media condemned the killings and atrocities.
Kelvin Richardson wrote on Instagram, “Damn…this is so tragic. I send my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.”
Another user, Jules, added, “Why so much hate towards people? God help us.”