Holocaust survivor, Alexander Kleytman, has been named as one of the 15 innocent victims killed during yesterday’s terrorist attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.
Mr Kleytman’s wife, Larisa, confirmed her beloved husband’s death outside St Vincent’s Hospital.
“We were standing and suddenly came the ‘boom boom’, and everybody fell down. 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,” she told the Australian.
The couple were both Holocaust survivors, and had recounted their experiences to JewishCare in a 2023 publication.
“As children, both Larisa and Alexander faced the unspeakable terror of the Holocaust. Alex’s memories are particularly harrowing; the dreadful conditions in Siberia where he, along with his mother and younger brother, struggled for survival,” the Australian Jewish health provider’s 2022/23 annual report reads.
“The scars of the past, however, did not deter them from seeking a brighter future. They later made the move to Australia, immigrating from Ukraine.”
NSW Police are continuing to investigate a mass shooting that resulted in 16 people dying and 40 people being injured in Sydney’s east yesterday evening.
During last night’s incident, multiple officers exchanged fire with the two men with two officers – a constable and probationary constable – suffering gunshot wounds.
During the incident one shooter – a 50-year-old man – was shot by police and died at the scene. The other shooter – a 24-year-old man – suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
As a result of the incident 14 people died at the scene and 42 people – including four children – were taken to hospitals across Sydney
Police have since been told two other people – a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man – have since died in hospital.
Those who died are yet to be formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87-years-old.
Five people remain in critical conditions with the others remaining in serious and stable conditions.
Both officers remain in serious but stable conditions.
A significant crime scene has been established closing Bondi Beach and surrounding roads, and detectives from the Joint Counter Terrorism Team have commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following initial inquiries, detectives have located and seized three firearms from the scene. They will all undergo forensic examination.
