Across LA County, authorities step up security at Hanukkah events after Australia attack

Authorities were providing extra patrols at Jewish facilities and Hanukkah events throughout Los Angeles County on Monday after a deadly attack in Australia killed as many as 15 people who were gathered at a beach to celebrate the first day of the Jewish holiday.

“The Los Angeles Police Department is deeply saddened by the tragic mass shooting attack that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish Community in Australia and here in Los Angeles, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this senseless act of violence,” the LAPD said in a statement shortly after news of the tragedy broke.

“While there is no known threat to Los Angeles at this time, the LAPD remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse communities. As part of this commitment, the LAPD will provide extra patrols at Jewish facilities, schools, synagogues and at Hanukkah events throughout the city,” the statement continued.

“The LAPD will continue to work closely with our local, national, and international partners to monitor developments and ensure the safety of our city. Together, we can honor the spirit of Hanukkah by standing united against hate and violence.”

The LAPD further advised the public to “maintain heightened situational awareness when attending religious services or community gatherings,” and to call 911 to report anything suspicious.

Police also urged local religious institutions to review their own security protocols.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a similar statement.

“The (LASD) extends its deepest condolences to the victims and families affected by today’s tragic shooting in Australia,” officials wrote.

“We are actively assessing any potential threats to Los Angeles County and have increased patrol checks at critical facilities. All patrol personnel will be briefed to ensure heightened situational awareness and continued vigilance. In addition, we will be reaching out to our faith-based partners and community leaders to encourage the public to promptly report any suspicious activity. Violence has no place in our society. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our communities and ensuring public safety throughout Los Angeles County.”

The sheriff’s department later added the following tips for those attending public Hanukkah celebrations:

— Arrive and depart in groups when possible.

— Be aware of your surroundings and identify exits when entering a facility.

— Report unattended packages, suspicious behavior, or unfamiliar vehicles.

— Trust your instincts – if something feels out of place, notify staff or law enforcement.

— In an emergency, call 911.

The Beverly Hills Police Department also said it would increase security around the city’s Jewish institutions, telling City News Service that the extra patrols would last until Dec. 23.

Santa Monica officials said police had an added presence at Sunday night’s Menorah lighting on the Promenade and at local places of worship out of an abundance of caution.

The shooting, which local authorities described as a targeted antisemitic attack, took place at about 6:45 p.m. local time Sunday at Sydney’s Bondi Beach as hundreds of Jews gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities also said there were two known suspects: One was killed and the other was said to be hospitalized in critical condition.

Australian officials later said the deceased suspect was a 50-year-old man, and the injured suspect was his 24-year-old son, identified as Naveed Akram.

“The mass murder in Sydney today is yet another horrific antisemitic act of terror on the Jewish community. This senseless attack on Australian Jews who had gathered on Bondi Beach to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah and the miracle of lights is a devastating reminder that antisemitism continues to rise around the world. I strongly condemn antisemitism in all its forms,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Sunday morning.

“Los Angeles holds the Jewish community in Australia and here at home in our hearts. We have reached out to the Australian Consul General in Los Angeles with our deepest condolences and support,” Bass added. “The LAPD has already increased patrols near places of worship and in communities tonight, during the first night of Hanukkah and throughout the holiday.”

Developer Rick Caruso, who lost the 2022 mayor’s race to Bass and is thought to be considering a run for mayor again or possibly for governor next year, issued the following statement:

“As I grapple with the devastating news from Brown University and Australia, I am comforted by the words of a dear friend, Rabbi Lchaim Zushe, who said to me this morning: ‘We are filled with an even greater resolve to bring light, comfort, and strength to our community. Moments like these remind us how vital it is to stand together and uplift one another.”

The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles said the organization was “horrified by the antisemitic terrorist shooting in Australia. This was a deliberate terrorist act targeting the Jewish community in Sydney as they celebrated the first night of Chanukah and must be loudly and clearly called out as antisemitism.

“The security of the Jewish community is the top priority of #JewishFederations across North America. All Federations and their community security initiatives are on full alert for the Chanukah celebrations in their communities, working with all our law enforcement partners,” the statement continued.

” … Our community will never retreat in the face of hatred, and will never refrain from carrying on our Jewish traditions. Rather, we will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights burn all the brighter.”

Other Southland officials were weighing in on Sunday.

“The violence of the past few days is horrifying. My heart breaks for the victims — the terrified students at Brown and those killed in the Bondi Beach attack. I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community as they mark the first night of Hanukkah in the wake of this massacre,” LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said.

“Antisemitism is a global scourge. Violence against Jewish communities anywhere threatens Jewish communities everywhere, and Jewish people deserve to live, worship, and celebrate without fear,” Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky said.

“Many of us in Los Angeles are grieving. We are angry. We are worried about the safety of the Jewish community. We must remember we are not alone. My office is in close contact with LAPD and private security to ensure a strong security presence is in place ahead of Hanukkah celebrations in Los Angeles tonight and through the coming week.”

Hahn’s colleague, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, issued the following statement: “As millions of people around the world gather to begin celebrating Hanukkah, while grappling with heartbreaking acts of violence, we are each called to confront hate by extending dignity and compassion to others.

“To our Jewish community, we stand in solidarity with you. May the sacredness and resiliency of the Festival of Lights shine even brighter in the days ahead.”

Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, joined a bipartisan statement from all 25 Jewish U.S. House members Sunday condemning the attack, and also raised alarms about the reported targeting of a Jewish family in Redlands, in San Bernardino County.

In that community, someone drove by the house, which was decorated for Hanukkah, fired several shots and yelled an antisemitic slur at the family on Friday. No injuries or arrests were immediately reported.

“I am heartbroken. A horrific attack at a Hanukkah gathering in Australia has left at least 11 people dead during a Jewish holiday celebration. And just miles from my district, a California home was shot at for simply displaying Hanukkah decorations in what local authorities are investigating as an antisemitic hate crime. This is not normal,” Friedman said.

“Antisemitism is rising. Hate is rising. According to the FBI, even though Jews make up only around 2 percent of the U.S. population, they were the target of nearly 70 percent of all reported religion-based hate crimes in 2024.

” … I refuse to hide who I am. Today, I will remember those we’ve lost and celebrate Hanukkah with my community. Chag Sameach to all who are celebrating. We will not be intimidated.”

Friedman planned to join the Adams Hill Neighborhood Association and local residents at AHNA’s 5th Annual Hanukkah Party at Adams Square Mini Park in Glendale on Sunday afternoon.

The national Muslim Public Affairs Council also condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms. … Events meant to celebrate faith, community, and peace should never devolve into scenes of terror and loss. We mourn with the families who have lost loved ones and stand in heartfelt solidarity with the Jewish community in Sydney and around the world. Antisemitism and violence have no place in our societies.”

President Donald Trump also condemned the attack on Sunday, while encouraging Jews to “celebrate proudly — be proud of who you are,” according to Fox News.

Trump also praised a Muslim bystander who reportedly charged one of the gunmen and took his gun away before being shot himself, apparently by another gunman. The man, identified as 43-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed, can be seen in dramatic news video rushing one of the shooters and wrestling the gun away, then pointing it at the man he disarmed.

“Very, very brave person, who went and frontally attacked one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives,” Trump said. “Very brave person, right now in the hospital, wounded. Great respect to the man that did that.”