Couple Tackled Bondi Beach Gunmen Before Being Fatally Shot Just Weeks Before 35th Wedding Anniversary

A couple in their sixties died attempting to stop the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Boris and Sofia Gurman were among 16 people fatally injured in the country’s worst mass shooting in three decades. At least 40 others were also wounded when the gunmen opened fire at around 6:40 p.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 14, the New South Wales (NSW Police) said in a news release.

Boris, 69, and Sofia, 61, have since been identified as the people seen in a viral dash cam video shared on the Chinese social media platform Rednote. In the video they attempted to tackle one of the shooters as he emerged from a car that had an Islamic State flag over the windshield in the early stages of the terror attack, according to The Sydney Morning Herald and News.com.au.

“We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman,” their family said in a statement obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald. “They had been married for 34 years, with their 35th wedding anniversary approaching in January.

“We were looking forward to celebrating Sofia’s 62nd birthday on Wednesday 17th of December,” the statement added.

The Russian-Jewish couple lived in Bondi and had a son in his 30s, per News.com.au.

Boris was a retired mechanic known for his generosity, while Sofia had worked at Australia Post, The Guardian reported.

The Sydney resident whose dash cam captured the couple’s efforts to stop the attack said their heroism “shouldn’t be forgotten.”

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“While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness,” the couple’s family said in a statement acknowledging the viral footage, per The Guardian. “This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were – people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others.

“We are deeply grateful for the love, compassion and support that has been shown to our family during this unimaginable time,” the family concluded. “From here, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve.”

A fundraiser set up to support the couple’s son has raised over $100,000.

Many children and families from the Jewish community had gathered at Bondi Beach for Chanukah by the Sea, an event marking the first day of Hanukkah. The victims of the attack, which is Australia’s worst since the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre, range in age from 10 to 87.

Suspected gunman Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, were not on a terrorism watchlist before the incident, ABC News reported.

Sajid died at the scene and Naveed was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The New South Wales Government said “we stand united” as they honored those killed in the incident in a news release.

“NSW is a welcoming and connected society. One which respects the differing views, backgrounds and cultures that make us stronger,” said NSW Government. “This incident was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which should have been a night of peace and joy.

“Incidents targeting our Jewish communities have no place in our society,” the government continued. “We recognise the distress these types of incidents have and how they impact the wellbeing of individuals and our communities, particularly children and young people.

“Hate and violence will not be tolerated. Threats against any part of our society are a challenge for us all,” they concluded. “Together we are stronger and can ensure that no one falls victim to these hateful influences.”