Francesca Gillett
A couple killed in the Bondi Beach shooting tried to stop one of the alleged attackers by grabbing his gun, dramatic dashcam footage shows.
Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, courageously stepped in to try and protect others before being shot themselves, their family said in a statement.
Video of the incident shows Mr Gurman, who was retired, wrestling with one of the alleged gunmen and taking the weapon off him, before they both fall onto the road.
Mr Gurman then gets up and appears to hit the suspected attacker with the gun. The attacker is then thought to have got another gun which he used to kill them.
“While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness,” the family said.
“This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were – people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others.”
The Gurman couple, who were Jewish, were the first two people killed in Sunday’s attack, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
At least 15 people have been confirmed dead in the shooting, which happened during an event to mark the first day of Hanukkah.
In their statement, the family said the couple had been married for 34 years.
“We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman.
“Boris was a retired mechanic, known for his generosity, quiet strength and willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need.
“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.”
GoFundMeWitnesses have described Mr Gurman as a “hero”.
The woman who owns the dashcam footage told Reuters that Mr Gurman “did not run away – instead, he charged straight toward the danger, using all his strength trying to wrestle away the gun and fighting to the death”.
“I can see from my camera that the elderly man was ultimately shot and collapsed. That moment broke my heart,” she said.
Another person who said they witnessed the incident told 9News: “He was a hero. He tried, he tried. We need to let his family know.
“Everyone needs to know what he tried, because it was right in the beginning. And he put himself in that face of danger. There were bullets flying already, and he put his self in the face of danger.”
The other victims include a 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, a retired police officer, and a Holocaust survivor.
The ages of the victims range from 10 to 87.
Police have alleged that the attack was carried out by two gunmen: Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram.
