Couple Dies in Each Other's Arms After Attempting to Confront Bondi Beach Shooter

hey didn't flinch. They didn't hesitate. When the couple saw something wrong on that ordinary Sunday afternoon, they acted... and unfortunately, paid with their lives.

Boris and Sofia Gurman, a Russian-Jewish couple from Sydney, Australia, had been near the iconic Bondi Beach when a parked car with something odd on the windshield, and a man with a rifle stopped them in their tracks.

Within moments, they became the first victims of what would spiral into Australia's deadliest mass shooting since Port Arthur in 1996. Now, as the nation mourns, their family has broken their silence, honoring two of the bravest souls who refused to stand by and let evil win.

A Final Act of Courage on the Boulevard

It was the afternoon of December 14, 2025. The couple had been walking together along Campbell Parade, unaware that their final moments were minutes away.

That's when they saw Sajid Akram step out of his hatchback with a rifle in hand and also an Islamic State flag spread across his windshield.

Without hesitation, Boris, 69, lunged forward. Several dashcams captured the chilling sequence. He tackled the 50-year-old suspect right behind the car parked in the bustling beachside road, successfully knocking the gun from his hands.

For a brief moment, it looked like Boris had saved the day. He picked up the rifle and aimed it at Sajid, standing his ground as cars passed. Sofia rushed to his side, supporting him in the desperate attempt to stop what was unfolding.

But Sajid wasn't finished. He charged again, this time pulling out another rifle. In the horrifying seconds that followed, Boris and Sofia were shot at close range. They died there, on the sidewalk, in each other's arms.

Remembering the Couple's Devotion and Sacrifice

Their loved ones have now spoken to the Sydney Morning Herald, sharing their heartbreak in a joint statement.

"They had been married for 34 years, with their 35th wedding anniversary approaching in January. We were looking forward to celebrating Sofia's 62nd birthday on Wednesday 17th of December," they said.

Boris, a retired mechanic, was remembered for always helping others. Sofia, who worked at Australia Post, was adored by coworkers and neighbors alike.

"Boris and Sofia were devoted to their family and to each other. They were the heart of our family, and their absence has left an immeasurable void," their loved ones continued.

They had seen the footage. They had watched Boris and Sofia do what few would dare to do: confront a man with a gun. While the pain is unimaginable, the family expressed immense pride in their final moments, which so perfectly reflected who they were: brave, selfless, and full of love.

They also thanked the public for the outpouring of support and requested privacy as they grieve.

Tributes and the Others Who Fought Back

A Sydney resident uploaded her dashcam footage to Rednote, writing that heroes like Boris and Sofia could never be forgotten. That same sentiment was echoed on December 16, when a group of Sofia's coworkers gathered at Bondi Pavilion. Each one brought a white rose and a card.

"It's very tragic, and seeing this video made us realise just how brave she and her husband was [sic]," one colleague said quietly.

Boris and Sofia weren't the only ones who stepped in to stop the violence.

Ahmed al-Ahmed also tackled Sajid during the rampage and managed to seize one of the weapons. He was shot multiple times in the struggle and remains in critical but stable condition at St. George Hospital.

Another man, Reuven Morrison, was identified by his daughter as the person who threw an object at one of the shooters. He was killed in the chaos, but his daughter proudly praised his courage.

During the police confrontation, Sajid was shot and killed at the scene. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who was the other shooter that day, survived with life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized.

Key Details About the Bondi Shooting

Crowds had gathered at Sydney's Bondi Beach for an event marking the first day of Hanukkah, drawing families, locals, and tourists to the waterfront. Within moments, the calm was shattered by gunfire.

Police later confirmed that at least 15 people were killed and 27 others were hospitalized, including about a dozen in critical condition, after the mass shooting erupted at the popular beachside location. With the scale of the violence becoming clear, police began releasing details about those they believed were responsible.

The Surviving Suspect Was Known to Authorities

As the investigation widened, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese disclosed that Naveed had previously come to the attention of authorities but was not assessed as a threat at the time.

"He was examined on the basis of being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence," Anthony said during a news conference on Monday.

The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, Mike Burgess, also confirmed the same individual had earlier appeared on the agency's radar.

"One of the individuals was known to us but not in an immediate threat perspective, so obviously we need to look into what happened here," Mike said. Those revelations intensified scrutiny of the motive behind the shooting and how authorities classified it.

Officials Say the Bondi Beach Shooting Was Terrorism

Officials have declared the shooting a terrorist event and described it as "designed to target" Jewish people. The timing of the violence, coinciding with a Hanukkah gathering, quickly raised alarm among national security officials.

CNN reported that the attack targeted Jewish families on one of the most festive days of the Jewish calendar, intensifying fears that the violence was ideologically motivated. Beyond the security and political implications, the human toll of the attack continued to come into focus.

The Youngest Victim of the Bondi Beach Attack

Among those killed was a 10-year-old girl who had gone to the beach with her family to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, according to CNN.

The child, identified by relatives as Matilda Bee Britvan, was described by family members as a happy girl who "never stopped smiling." She had attended the event with her parents, younger sister, and friends when gunfire broke out near the grassy park beside the beach.

Matilda was wounded during the shooting and lost a significant amount of blood, her aunt Lina told CNN. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors attempted to save her life, but her injuries were too severe. Officials said she later died, making her the youngest victim of the terror attack.

In the days that followed, grief gave way to an outpouring of support from those determined to honor her memory.

The Community Honors Matilda

In a GoFundMe campaign, she was remembered as a"bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her." Her language teacher, Irina Goodhew, organized the page.

Matilda's mother, Valentina Poltavchenko, is listed as the beneficiary of the fundraiser, which was set to raise $260,000. As of today, more than $250,000 has been raised to support the family during what the organizer described as an "incredibly difficult time."

In an update shared with donors, Irina thanked supporters for their generosity, writing, "Every donation helps Matilda's family during this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness is making a real difference, and we are so grateful for your support." Matilda was not the only life whose final moments reflected extraordinary loss and courage.

The Man Who Died Protecting His Wife

Another victim, Alexander Kleytman, is being remembered for sacrificing his life while trying to protect his wife during the attack, according to BBC News. Alexander, a Holocaust survivor who emigrated to Australia from Ukraine, was standing with his wife, Larisa Kleytman, when the gunfire erupted.

"We were standing and suddenly came the 'boom boom,' and everybody fell down," Larisa told reporters outside a Sydney hospital. "At this moment he was behind me and at one moment he decided to go close to me. He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me."

According to reports, Chabad, a dynasty in Hasidic Judaism, later wrote on X that Alexander died while shielding his wife from the gunman's bullets. He is survived by his wife, two children, and 11 grandchildren.

"I have no husband. I don't know where is his body. Nobody can give me any answer," Larisa added. As families mourn individual losses, national leaders are confronting broader questions about safety and prevention.

What Comes Next for Australia

In the hours after the shooting, Anthony said the government would consider further tightening Australia's already strict gun laws, signaling a possible shift in policy as the country grapples with how such violence occurred.

For now, investigators continue to reconstruct the final moments before the shooting, examine intelligence failures, and search for answers as the nation mourns those killed on a beach meant for joy, not grief. For communities across the country, the impact is being felt far beyond the crime scene.

For many, the questions now extend beyond what happened to how such violence was able to pierce a moment meant for faith, family, and togetherness.

In the days since, flowers and candles have turned public spaces into places of mourning, marking lives lost, final acts of courage, and a community grappling with lasting grief.