New South Wales Police have identified the two gunmen involved in the deadly shooting at a Hanukah event in Sydney as a father and son, aged 50 and 24, as investigators ruled out the involvement of any additional attackers.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Monday that the investigation had “progressed” overnight, allowing police to confirm key details about the assailants and the weapons used in the attack, which killed at least 15 people, including one of the gunmen, and left nearly 40 others wounded. The attack, which targeted the Jewish community, has been declared a terrorist incident.
Speaking at a press conference, Lanyon said officers were no longer searching for further suspects.
“The investigation has progressed,” he said, confirming that the two shooters were related.
Lanyon said the 50-year-old man was shot by police and died at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was taken to hospital with critical injuries and remains under police guard.
New South Wales Police later said in a statement that officers confronted the two men during the incident, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
LICENCED FIREARMS HOLDER
The Police Commissioner said police executed two search warrants overnight at properties in the western Sydney suburbs of Bonnyrigg and Campsie as part of the investigation.
He confirmed that the deceased 50-year-old was a licenced firearms holder and had six firearms registered in his name.
“It is believed those six firearms were also used in the offences on Bondi Beach,” Lanyon said, adding that police would conduct a thorough investigation into how the weapons were accessed and used.
OFFICERS REMAIN HOSPITALISED
Lanyon said two New South Wales police officers injured during the response remain in hospital. Both officers were wounded after responding to the scene and exchanging gunfire with the attackers.
He said police would maintain a strong presence at places of worship in the coming days.
“Officers will be highly visible,” Lanyon said.
Police said the shooting occurred during a Hanukah celebration and was directed at members of Sydney’s Jewish community. Authorities have officially declared the incident a terrorist attack.
New South Wales Police confirmed that during the incident, the 50-year-old gunman was shot dead by officers at the scene. The second attacker, aged 24, sustained critical injuries and was transported to hospital under police guard.
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