The freelance photographer who captured the first, chilling images of the Bondi Beach terror attack has revealed the disturbing detail that haunts him most from that day. It was not the sound of gunfire, but the moment he came face-to-face with evil just seconds before the massacre began.
A Fateful Walk Back to the Car
Freelance photographer Banjo was finishing an assignment for the Daily Mail at the iconic Sydney beach on Sunday when the peaceful evening shattered. As he walked back to his car over the bridge from Bondi Pavilion to Campbell Parade, he witnessed a scene that immediately set off alarm bells.
"I looked down and saw a car pull up. It hit the brakes and very quickly, two men jumped out," Banjo recounted exclusively to the Daily Mail's Trial Australia podcast. "I thought, something's not right. These guys are moving very quickly, in a hurry." He then saw them place a flag on their windscreen and noted they carried assault rifles.
The photographer turned a corner, and one of the men passed right by him, moving to the top of the bridge. "He aimed his gun and started shooting. That was the scariest part for me… I walked past this guy and saw him just before he did all those bad things," Banjo said, describing the moment that is now seared in his memory.
Switching to Work Mode Amid the Chaos
Once the shooting started, Banjo's professional instincts took over. He ducked behind a wall and began documenting the horrific scene. The antisemitic attack, targeting revellers celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, would ultimately claim 15 lives and leave more than 40 people injured. The victims included a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis, and a Holocaust survivor.
At one point, the danger became intensely personal. "At one point, he looked at me and I ducked down. Then, I could hear the pops of the gun and the whistling of bullets near me," Banjo described. Thinking another shooter was nearby, he changed position, hiding behind a car and attempting to film steadily.
Police have identified the attackers as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. Authorities confirmed the attack was ISIS-inspired, with the terror group's flag found in their vehicle. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences, including committing a terrorist act.
The Aftermath and a Heroic Intervention
In the wake of the violence, Banjo found the emotional toll too great to edit his own photographs. "I didn't want to look this person in the eyes again," he admitted, revealing he sent the images raw to his agent for processing. He expressed profound relief at being able to return home safely to his family.
The attack was brought to a sudden end by the courageous actions of Syrian-Australian Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43. The tobacco shop owner tackled Sajid Akram from behind and wrestled his weapon away. During the struggle, he was shot multiple times in the shoulder by the second gunman. Al-Ahmed underwent surgery at St George Hospital, and a GoFundMe campaign for his recovery has raised over $1.5 million.
To hear the full, exclusive interview with photographer Banjo and a comprehensive breakdown of Sunday's devastating attack, search for The Trial Australia wherever you get your podcasts.
