‘I thought they were fireworks’: Filipino nurse witness recounts Bondi shooting incident

BONDI BEACH SHOOTING

Flowers at the site where two gunmen opened fire at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Monday, December 15, 2025. Source: AAP / DEAN LEWINS/AAPIMAGE

A registered nurse and calisthenics coach who was at Bondi Beach when a shooting incident unfolded in Sydney on Sunday has described the experience as overwhelming and terrifying, saying the seriousness of the situation only became clear when panic spread through the crowd.


Key Points
  • In an interview, Bjorn Santos said the first sounds of gunfire did not immediately register as danger. With various festivities and events happening around Bondi at the time, he initially assumed the loud noises were fireworks.
  • He said he immediately ran for safety. During those moments, he feared not only for his own life but also for the safety of his friends, as information about what was happening was unclear.
  • Bondi Beach, he explained, is a place he visits regularly. As a calisthenics coach, he often goes there to exercise and meet clients, and over time it has become like a second home. Although he continues to feel anxious after the incident, he appealed to the public to remain responsible and avoid spreading hate or unverified claims.
Bjorn Santos in Bondi
Bjorn Santos recalls fear and confusion during Bondi shooting incident. Image source: Bjorn Los Santos

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If you or someone you know is feeling distressed or affected by this incident, support is available. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

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