Video footage shows bystanders confronting a gunman prior to the start of his deadly, ISIS-inspired mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
Authorities state that although they tried to disarm him, the gunman ultimately overpowered and killed the two bystanders.
The bystanders were identified as Boris and Sofia Gurman. Reports indicate the couple was passing by when they observed the attacker getting out of a vehicle. Boris momentarily gained an advantage by seizing the shooter’s rifle, but the assailant reportedly grabbed a second rifle during the struggle and shot the couple dead, marking them as the massacre’s initial victims.
“We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman,” the family said in a Tuesday afternoon statement. “While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness.”
In the video, an eyewitness reviewing dashcam footage describes the event’s progression.
“You see the shooter here — he fired shots from here, shooting from here. And then look, this guy went and tackled him (shooter), knocking him to the ground. At that point, he had already grabbed the gun,” the Mandarin-speaking witness said, according to a Reuters translation.
Officials have identified the shooters as a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son. The father died at the scene, and police shot the son, who was hospitalized in critical condition. Australian authorities added that the pair had improvised explosives and homemade ISIS flags in their car.
On Sunday, the duo fired upon families observing Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 deaths and over two dozen injuries. The Australian government is treating the incident as a terror attack directed at the Jewish community.
Amid the violent spree, another bystander, Australian immigrant Ahmed al Ahmed, wrestled a firearm away from one shooter. His attorney stated Ahmed does not regret stepping in, even though he was “riddled with bullets” and suffering severe pain.
“He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he’d do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him,” attorney Sam Issa said. “He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”
Reports note Ahmed has had initial surgery, and Issa worries the heroic bystander could lose his left arm.
“He’s a lot worse than expected. When you think of a bullet in the arm, you don’t think of serious injuries, but he has lost a lot of blood,” Issa said.
The President commended Ahmed’s actions, describing him as “a very, very brave person” and expressing “great respect” for him.
The Bondi Beach attack is Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since the nation enacted major reforms after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which left 35 dead. In the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, there are calls to tighten the country’s already strict gun regulations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese put forward several proposals, such as capping the number of firearms an individual can own.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” he stated following a meeting with the National Cabinet.
Digital’s Louis Casiano, Bradford Betz and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.