16 dead following attack at Hanukkah celebration in Australia

The New South Wales Police Force is continuing to investigate a mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of 16 people and 40 people being injured in Sydney’s east yesterday evening.

About 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, emergency services were called to Bondi Beach, following reports of a shooting.

There are about 1,000 people in attendance to mark the start of Hanukkah.

Officers responded to the scene and located two men using long arms to fire into crowds of people. Multiple officers exchanged fire with the two men with two officers, and two officers suffered gunshot wounds. Both officers remain in serious but stable condition.

During the incident, one shooter – a 50-year-old man – was shot by police and died at the scene. The other shooter – a 24-year-old man – suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "Horrified by the antisemitic terror attack that has stolen the lives of 11 people at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach today in Australia. Canada stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination never to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred and intimidation."