Police say the shooting unfolded quickly near the beachfront as families marked the first night of the Jewish festival. Many victims were attending or helping run the event. Investigators have described the attack as a targeted act of violence. Police said that of the 16 victims, 14 died at the scene and two died in the hospital following the attack. An additional 40 people were injured, six of whom remain in critical condition as of Monday afternoon.
Among the dead was Matilda, 10, a young girl whose family had emigrated from Ukraine. Her former teacher described her as “bright, joyful, and spirited.” Matilda’s parents attended a vigil this week, while relatives said her sister, who was with her at the time of the shooting, is struggling to cope with the loss, reports the BBC.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, known locally as the “Bondi Rabbi,” was also killed. A British-born father of five, Schlanger led the local Chabad mission and was one of the organizers of the Hanukkah event. His youngest child is just two months old. Chabad confirmed his funeral will take place on Wednesday.
Dan Elkayam, a French national who worked as an IT analyst for NBCUniversal, was identified by French officials as one of the victims. Elkayam had moved to Australia last year and was an active member of the Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, which described him as an extremely popular teammate.
Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who emigrated from Ukraine, was killed while shielding his wife, Larisa, from gunfire, according to Chabad. He leaves behind two children and 11 grandchildren. His wife told reporters he pushed himself toward her when the shooting began, trying to protect her.
Married couple Boris and Sofia Gurman, together for 34 years, were also killed. Widely shared footage shows Boris attempting to disarm one of the attackers while Sofia stood beside him. Their family said they were proud of the couple’s bravery and said they had been looking forward to celebrating Sofia’s birthday this week.
Former police officer Peter Meagher was working as a freelance photographer at the event when he was killed. Meagher spent nearly four decades with the NSW Police Force and was described by his rugby club as “one of the heart and soul” figures of the organization.
Reuven Morrison, who emigrated to Australia from the former Soviet Union as a teenager, was confirmed dead by Chabad. A successful businessman, he was known for donating much of his earnings to charity and supporting Jewish causes in Sydney.
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a coordinator of Chabad activities in Sydney and secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, was also among the victims, the organization confirmed.
Tibor Weitzen, 78, was killed while trying to shield a family friend. A longtime member of the Bondi Chabad Synagogue, his family said he had migrated from Israel in 1988 and was deeply devoted to his community.
Marika Pogany, 82, a volunteer and avid bridge player, was identified by Jewish organizations and Slovak officials. Former Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová described her as a close friend who “lived her life to the fullest.”
Edith Brutman, a senior member of B’nai B’rith in New South Wales, was also named as a victim. Her family said she was deeply committed to fighting prejudice and serving others.
