Australian police say the Bondi Beach attackers first hurled homemade bombs that failed to explode, then carried out a fatal attack on December 14 that killed 15 people, including a 10‑year‑old child.
Investigation Findings
Police state that the attackers first threw homemade bombs at the crowd on Bondi Beach, but none detonated. They also discovered that the suspects had been preparing for the attack over several months, training in shooting.
Training and Preparations
The investigation uncovered a videotape from October in which one suspect and his accomplice, standing before a Palestinian flag, spoke in English about the motives behind their actions. Police also obtained a phone recording that corroborated their intentions.
Surveillance Footage
Monitoring cameras captured the suspects carrying long, large items wrapped in cloth in the days leading up to the attack. These items—later found in a rented house in the suburb of Campsie—were identified as single‑barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle, three tube bombs, a tennis‑ball‑shaped bomb, and other large improvised explosive devices. In the Campsie home, 3‑D printer‑produced weapon parts, bomb‑making equipment, and copies of the Qur’an were also discovered.
Suspects’ Capture and Arrest
The older suspect was shot by police on the scene and died, while the younger was arrested. He faced 59 charges on Wednesday, December 17, including 15 counts of murder and an act of terrorism.
Attack Summary
The attack occurred on Sunday, December 14, killing 15 people, among them a 10‑year‑old child. The incident has drawn international attention to security and counter‑terrorism measures.