A 33-year-old Victorian man will face court after being arrested for allegedly triggering a bomb scare after walking through Bondi Junction wearing a vest covered in duct-tape.
The incident occurred not far from the site of a planned 30-day commemoration of the deadly terrorist attack targeting a Jewish celebration that left 15 dead and 40 injured.
According to New South Wales (NSW) Police, the man was seen walking along Oxford Street in the Bondi Junction area at around 10:10 p.m. on Jan. 11.
Police arrived on scene, including bomb squads and officers from Operation Shelter—a special initiative established in 2023 to counter anti-Semitism in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks in Israel.
The man was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station. He was later denied bail.
“Both vests were examined by officers attached to Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit and deemed safe.”
Jewish Community Marks 30th Day of Mourning
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 people gathered at an evening memorial service on Bondi Beach on Jan. 11, marking the 30th day of public mourning following the mass shooting.The event was monitored by a heavy police presence and featured a live performance of Waltzing Matilda in memory of the youngest victim, Matilda, who was named by her parents in honour of their new Australian home after migrating from Ukraine.
Rabbi Yossi Friedman, who led the tributes, hailed those who sacrificed their lives for others as “heroes.”
“I call them heroes because many of them did not die running away from the bullets, but actually running towards the bullets, covering others,” he addressed the crowd.
The memorial site is still adorned with flowers, photos, tributes and stones as per Jewish custom.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram, 24, was arrested and charged with 59 offences, including terrorism and 15 counts of murder.
He remains in custody in the maximum security Goulburn Correctional Centre and will return to court in April 2026.
