First picture of couple who were shot dead by terrorists after trying to disarm them
A couple were shot dead in Sydney’s Bondi Beach terrorist attack, weeks before they were due to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.
Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, were killed while trying to stop the alleged gunman from firing against people.
They were strolling along Campbell Parade when one of the suspects got out of a car with an Islamic State flag draped across its windscreen.
Footage circulating on social media shows Boris wrestling with the man – who was armed with a rifle – and taking the weapon off him, before they both fall onto the road.
He then gets up and appears to hit the suspect with the gun. The attacker is then thought to have pulled out another weapon, which he used to kill both Boris and Sofia.
The video, caught on a dashcam, was posted online by a Sydney resident, who wrote in Mandarin: ‘I am truly heartbroken.’
Separate footage from a drone, taken afterwards, shows the couple lying motionless together along Campbell Parade.
A statement by their family, reported by the BBC, said: ‘While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness.
‘This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were – people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others.’
It is understood that the Gurmans are Russian Jews from the Soviet Union, who have lived in Australia for decades.
The attack happened just days before Sofia was due to celebrate her 62nd birthday on Wednesday.
‘Boris was a retired mechanic, known for his generosity, quiet strength and willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need,’ the statement added.
‘Sofia worked at Australia Post and was deeply loved by her colleagues and community.
‘Bondi locals, together they lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect.
‘Boris and Sofia were devoted to their family and to each other. They were the heart of our family, and their absence has left an immeasurable void.’
They were the first two people killed in Sunday’s attack, which happened at a Hanukkah event, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Altogether, 15 people were killed during the celebration in what Australian authorities have described as ‘a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.’
There are 25 people still being treated in hospitals after the massacre, with 10 of them in critical condition. Three of them are patients in a children’s hospital.
Ahmed al Ahmed, who was captured on video tackling and disarming one assailant, before pointing the man’s weapon at him and then setting it on the ground, is also among those recovering from their wounds.
The suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24, authorities have said.
The older man, who state officials named as Sajid Akram, was shot dead. His son was being treated at a hospital.
A news conference by political and law enforcement leaders today was the first time officials confirmed their believes about the suspects’ ideologies.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said the remarks are based on evidence obtained, including ‘the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized.’
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