Australian police said on Sunday that the shooting at a popular Sydney beach, which left 12 dead and 29 injured, was a 'terrorist attack,' and that local authorities stated it was directed 'against the Jewish community.' New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that the attack occurred around 18:47 local time (7:47 GMT) in Archer Park, next to Bondi Beach, during a celebration for the start of the Jewish Hanukkah festival, where around a thousand people were gathered. Lanyon also indicated that there are two alleged perpetrators: one shot dead and another detained. 'At 21:36 tonight, I formally declared this incident a terrorist incident,' Lanyon stated at a press conference, explaining that special powers were activated to ensure 'there is no further threat to the community.' According to the police chief, at least 29 people were taken to hospitals, including two police officers, and he warned that 'the investigation has barely begun and no hypothesis is ruled out,' including the possible involvement of a third suspect. The head of the New South Wales Government, Christopher Minns, described the shooting as 'a cowardly and terrifying act of violence' and stated that 'the target was the Jewish community.' 'This attack was designed to strike the Jewish community of Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah. What was meant to be a night of peace and celebration was destroyed by an evil and horrific attack,' Minns declared at the same press conference.
