Bondi Beach Attack: Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert Recovers After Terror Incident
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, 22, who was four months into his policing career, was shot in the head and shoulder during the attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The incident, which occurred during a Jewish Hanukkah festival, injured more than 40 people and killed 15.
Hibbert has been released from hospital and is recovering at home, although he has lost vision in one eye. Despite his injuries, he continued to help attendees at the event. Hibbert's family described his return home as a Christmas miracle and expressed their gratitude to the public for their support and to the medical staff for their care.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon visited Hibbert, praising him as a positive young man. Lanyon stated that the police force would rally around Hibbert and find suitable duties for him once he has sufficiently recovered. Another officer injured in the attack, Constable Scott Dyson, 25, remains in hospital.
Authorities have declared the attack a terror attack, stating that the gunmen were inspired by Islamic State ideology and deliberately targeted the Hanukkah festival. Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of terror. Akram's father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene.
Court documents revealed that the suspects had planned the attack for months and conducted reconnaissance at Bondi Beach two days prior to the shooting.
