Boris and Sofia Gurman, a husband and wife in their 60s, sprang into action when they saw a man with a weapon near Bondi Beach. They had been married for 34 years.
A viral dashcam video from a passing motorist shows Boris managing to disarm the gunman. However, both Boris and the gunman ended up falling on the ground. A screenshot shows Sofia standing on the sidewalk, while her husband, who is on the ground, is holding the gunman's rifle.
Horrifically, the gunman ended up getting his bearings and shooting them both to death. The video eventually shows the Gurmans lying deceased on the ground in each other's arms. They are among four heroes who tried to stop the Bondi Beach gunmen, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
That newspaper reported that the shooter's car bore a "homemade black Islamic State flag" that was "draped over the windscreen of the silver Hyundai." The newspaper added that after Boris obtained the gun and briefly had the upper hand, the gunman regained his footing and picked up a second rifle before executing the couple at close range.
Now the Gurmans are being hailed among the heroes of Bondi Beach. According to People, 16 people died in the attack on the Jewish community, and another 40 people were injured. A father-and-son, Sajid and Naveed Akram, have been implicated in the mass shooting, according to People.
In a news release, Australian police wrote that 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."
About 6.40 p.m. (Sunday 14 December 2025), "emergency services were called to Bondi Beach, following reports of a public place shooting," the police news release says.
"Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, surrounding commands and specialist police immediately responded and located two men using long arms to fire into crowds of people," it adds. "Multiple officers exchanged fire with the two men with two officers – a constable and probationary constable – suffering gunshot wounds."
The release continued: "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 added: "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 GoFundMe page set up to help the Gurmans' family has raised more than $173,000.
"Boris (69) and Sofia (61) were taken from us in the Bondi Beach attack - a loss that is sudden, senseless, and deeply painful. They had been married for 34 years and were approaching their 35th wedding anniversary this January. Their family was meant to be celebrating Sofia’s 62nd birthday on Wednesday the 17th of December," it says.
"Boris and Sofia were longtime Bondi locals who loved their community and the life they had built there. They were people of deep kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering care for others. Devoted to their family and to each other, their absence has left a void that cannot be filled," the page says.
"In the moments before their passing, Boris - with Sofia courageously beside him - attempted to intervene to protect others. This act of bravery and selflessness reflects exactly who they were: people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk. While nothing can lessen the pain of this loss, we feel immense pride in their courage and humanity," the post says.