Final Moments of Joy Before Tragedy Struck
Heartbreaking photographs have been released showing 10-year-old Matilda beaming with joy at a Hanukkah celebration, just minutes before she was killed in the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The images, shared with the permission of her family, offer a poignant glimpse into a life cut tragically short.
Photographer Amir Glazer, who was working at last Sunday's 'Channukah by the Sea' event, provided the photos to ensure Matilda's memory lives on. The pictures were taken at 6.45pm, a mere two minutes before alleged gunmen Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more.
A Scene of Innocent Celebration
In the photos, Matilda, wearing a bright yellow dress with her face painted with dolphins, is captured playing delightedly with a bubble machine. She was with her little sister, Summer, and other children near a petting zoo in the park, completely immersed in the festive spirit.
Mr Glazer also took what would become the final family portrait, showing Matilda with her parents, Valentyna and Michael, proudly wrapping her arm around her sister as they all smiled for the camera. The photographer vividly remembers printing the images for the family shortly after taking them.
'She's just an innocent girl that has nothing to do with all this evil in the world,' Mr Glazer told 9News. 'All she wanted to do was have fun with her family, friends and little sister. She just died for no reason.'
A Colleague and Friend Lost
The tragedy also claimed the life of Mr Glazer's long-time colleague and friend, Peter Meagher, a 61-year-old retired police officer turned photographer, who was working alongside him at the Hanukkah celebration. The pair had worked together for nearly five years.
Mr Glazer described Mr Meagher as a 'kind hearted' man who deeply respected the Jewish community. In a poignant moment, just half an hour before he was murdered, Mr Meagher, who had no personal connection to Judaism, was approached by Chabad representatives and agreed to put on tefillin, a Jewish prayer ritual.
'He came every time to the events and was so happy to meet the people and capture their amazing moments and turn it into a memory they will carry forever,' Mr Glazer said.
Chaos and Escape on the Beach
Mr Glazer, who grew up in Israel and moved to Australia a decade ago, initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks. He quickly realised the danger and urged panicked attendees to run, though many froze in shock.
'I ran towards the beach and went slightly into the water to get away from the crowds,' he recalled. 'I ran to an area that was relatively clear, and I didn’t stop for about six minutes, until the shooting stopped. There were a lot of people on the beach, panicked and running in every direction.'
The aftermath of the attack continues to be felt across Sydney and the nation. Fourteen of the 40 patients wounded in the attack remain in hospital, receiving treatment for their injuries. The community is left to mourn the profound loss of innocent lives, including a young girl whose last moments were filled with light and laughter.
