Several victims of the Bondi terror attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community have now been identified
The death toll has risen to 16, NSW Police confirmed this morning, including one of the shooters, a 50-year-old man who was shot by police at the scene.
At least 1000 people were in attendance at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration marking the first day of Hanukkah when the two shooters opened fire. The victims range from 10 to 87 years old, while dozens more remain in hospital. Here’s what we know so far.
Peter Meagher
Former police officer Peter Meagher, also known as Marzo, has been identified as one of the victims of the Bondi terror attack. He was a longtime member of the Randwick Rugby Club, who shared a statement on Monday confirming his death.
“’Marzo’ as he was universally known, was a much-loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby,” they said in a statement to rugby.com.au.
The Facebook page Support Grassroots Rugby posted that the beloved rugby volunteer had “made a career out of his hobby photography after retirement” and was in Bondi on assignment.
“Peter not only served our country [by] upholding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly,” they wrote.
10-year-old Matilda
The 10-year-old girl killed in yesterday’s attack has been identified as Matilda, a “bright, joyful and spirited child who brought life to everyone around her”.
Her language teacher, Irina Goodhew, launched a GoFundMe page on Monday morning for Matilda’s mother, which raised over $35,000 in the first four hours.
“I was Matilda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” she wrote in the description. “Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”
Matilda’s school, Harmony Russian School of Sydney in Bellevue Hill, informed the community of her death.
Her aunt Lina spoke to ABC News on behalf of the family and described Matilda as “just a happy kid” who loved school and had a lot of friends. She also said Matilda’s younger sister is struggling to cope with the loss, as “they were like twins” and have never been separated.
“She’s in absolute shock and stress, she’s missing her sister badly, she was lucky she didn’t get any injuries, but her mental state now,” she said. “Imagine you see your beautiful little sister that you love just being killed in front of you.”
Eli Schlanger
London-born rabbi and father-of-five Eli Schlanger, 41, was one of the first victims to be named by the ABC. He and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child in October.
Schlanger was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, and was described by his cousin Rabbi Zalman Lewis as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people”.
“How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” he told Jewish News.
Alexander Kleytman
Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, has also been identified as one of the victims. His wife, Larisa Kleytman, announced his death to reporters outside St Vincent’s Hospital.
“We were standing and suddenly came the ‘boom boom’, and everybody fell down,” she told The Australian. “At this moment he was behind me and at one moment he decided to go close to me. He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me.”
Dan Elkayam
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on X (formerly Twitter) that French national Dan Elkayam, in his 20s, was among the victims.
“This ignoble act is a new, tragic manifestation of an outrageous outpouring of antisemitic hatred to which we must put a stop,” he wrote in the translated post. “France will spare no effort to root out antisemitism wherever it emerges, and to combat terrorism in all its forms.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has also posted a statement on X saying his thoughts are with Elkayam’s family and loved ones.
“I express to them the full solidarity of the nation,” he added
Reuven Morrison
Businessman Reuven Morrison, who emigrated to Australia from the former Soviet Union in the 1970s, is also among those who were killed.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltman described Morrison as the “most beautiful, generous man who had a gorgeous smile that would light up the room”.
“A refugee that came from the former Soviet Union, he built a life here in Australia for his family and was an active member and generous contributor to both Melbourne and Sydney Jewish communities,” Kaltman told the ABC.
The remaining victims have yet to be identified, although Israel’s foreign ministry has said an unnamed Israeli citizen was among those killed.
What happened to the heroic man who disarmed the Bondi shooter?
Ahmed el Ahmed, a heroic father-of-two who disarmed one of the gunmen, is recovering in hospital after he was shot twice.
His cousin Mustafa told 7NEWS that the 43-year-old fruit shop owner received wounds to his arm and hand and is currently awaiting surgery at St George’s Hospital.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said during his press conference that 42 people were in NSW hospitals overnight receiving treatment. Two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are both in a serious but stable condition.
The incident, which has officially been declared a terrorist attack, is Australia’s worst mass shooting in 29 years.
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