What We Know About the Victims of the Bondi Shooting

A minimum of 16 people perished and over 40 were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, an incident local police have called a act of terrorism.

In the latest update, authorities have announced the number of fatalities is 16, which includes one of the suspected gunmen. Moreover, 42 injured people were transported to hospital.

The victims are yet to be formally identified, but authorities state their ages are between 10 and 87 years old.

Listed are the individuals who are known at this time.

Eli Schlanger

Originally from London clergyman Eli Schlanger, 41, was the first to be publicly identified.

Described as a father of five children, he worked as the associate rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Family members and acquaintances described him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very kind and sociable person who loved to help people”.

“How can a happy rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, meet his end in this way?” a family member said.

Schlanger and his wife celebrated the arrival of their newest son in October.

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was also confirmed among the deceased, as stated by his wife.

She told the moments before the attack, explaining they were standing when the gunfire erupted. “He shielded me because he wished to be near me,” she recalled.

The husband and wife were both survivors of the Holocaust, having endured immense hardship in their childhood. They had subsequently immigrated to Australia from Eastern Europe.

Dan Elkayam

The French authorities have confirmed that French man Dan Elkayam is among the dead.

In a statement, a senior official expressed that France shared the grief of his family and loved ones, the Jewish community, and the Australian people.

“This cowardly attack is a new, tragic manifestation of a revolting outpouring of antisemitic hatred that we must combat,” the statement read.

One Child

A child who was rushed to the Sydney Children’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries, according to police reports.

One Israeli Citizen

One victim from Israel was among those killed during the attack, as per reports referencing the Israeli government.

Those Injured

From the 42 people taken to hospitals, a significant number remain receiving treatment, with five in a critical state. The injured include two police officers who attended the scene.

A wounded man is a bystander who attempted to intervene to confront one of the gunmen. Hailed as a hero, he received gunshot wounds but is in stable condition in hospital.

Arsen Ostrovsky

Among the injured is Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer. It has been reported he was injured and is receiving treatment in hospital.

Communicating, he recounted the incident as an “utter carnage,” but also praised the response of those who rushed to help. He said he felt it was a “stroke of luck” he was alive.

Evan Zlatkis

Evan Zlatkis, a media director, was another casualty in the shooting. He described he listened to “dozens and dozens” of gunshots.

“I thought it was something less lethal, but it penetrated my own skin and into my leg,” he stated. “I’ve been shot myself. They bandaged me up. I’m ok.”