Australian police have confirmed that the deadly shooting at a Jewish festival near Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which claimed the lives of 15 people, was carried out by a father and his son. The incident has plunged the country into mourning, marking the most severe episode of gun violence Australia has witnessed in nearly three decades.

According to police, the older suspect, a 50-year-old man, was shot dead at the scene, bringing the overall death toll to 16. His 24-year-old son survived the incident but remains in critical condition in hospital. Local media outlets, including the state broadcaster ABC, identified the pair as Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, though police themselves declined to officially release their names.

Authorities described the attack as a deliberate antisemitic assault. The shooting occurred on Sunday evening during a Hanukkah celebration attended by about 1,000 people in a small park near the beach. The area was crowded due to the warm weather, and witnesses said the gunfire continued for roughly 10 minutes, triggering panic as people fled across the sand and into surrounding streets.

In addition to those killed, 40 people remain hospitalized, among them two police officers who were injured while responding to the attack. Officials said the victims ranged in age from just 10 years old to 87.

One civilian who intervened during the chaos has been widely praised for his bravery. Video footage shows the man tackling and disarming one of the attackers, an act police say likely prevented further loss of life. He was later identified by 7News Australia as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner who was shot twice and required surgery. A fundraising campaign set up in his support had raised more than A$350,000 by Monday afternoon.

Authorities revealed that the father had legally owned firearms, holding a license since 2015 and possessing six registered weapons. While police have not detailed the specific guns used, footage from the scene appeared to show a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun. Officials also disclosed that the father entered Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while his son was born in the country.