Man Sentenced to Prison for Bondi Massacre Mimicry and Anti-Semitic Abuse
A 23-year-old man who mimicked the Bondi Beach massacre and unleashed a torrent of anti-Semitic slurs has been handed a jail sentence, despite his defence lawyer arguing he is not an ideological anti-Semite. Zayne Jason William McMillan, a First Nations bricklayer from Dubbo, was heavily intoxicated when he engaged in the offensive behaviour on January 31, just six weeks after the Islamic State-inspired mass shooting that claimed 15 lives.
Court Hears Details of Offensive Conduct
Agreed facts presented to the court reveal that McMillan was seen on the same Bondi footbridge where the tragic shooting occurred, posing as though he held a long-arm firearm while his friend took photographs. During this incident, he yelled "F*** the Jews" and declared, "I'm a Koori I can do what I like." He then verbally threatened a 47-year-old man walking with his family after making eye contact, shouting, "Do you wanna f***ing go? I'll f***in bash ya. This is my f***in land."
McMillan later rode a bicycle to Waverley Oval, where he intimidated a second visibly Jewish victim walking with his son to a synagogue by yelling anti-Semitic remarks. He continued his racist tirade at Bondi Junction after falling off his bike, leading to his arrest by NSW Police on February 4.
Defence Claims and Judicial Rejection
Defence barrister Stephen Alexander told the court that McMillan's actions, while anti-Semitic, did not stem from ideological racism. "What he did say was anti-Semitic but he didn't go out of his way to be an anti-Semite," Mr Alexander stated. "He does not consider himself as being a racist towards the Jewish community." He attributed the incident to a mix of alcohol, ketamine, MDMA, and magic mushrooms, and noted a psychologist had provisionally diagnosed McMillan with a complex post-traumatic background due to a deprived childhood.
However, Judge Michael Barko rejected this defence, sentencing McMillan to 12 months in jail with a non-parole period of nine months. The judge emphasised that McMillan had singled out Jews during a 35-minute tirade, stating, "Not one other faith, belief or culture was referred to." Judge Barko described the Bondi shooting as "horrific, gut-wrenching, and a developing ongoing drama and trauma," underscoring the gravity of McMillan's mimicry.
Sentencing and Aftermath
McMillan, who watched the sentencing via audiovisual link from Shortland prison near Cessnock, received a discounted sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of offensive behaviour in a public place and two counts of intimidation. He will be eligible for release on November 3. The court heard that McMillan was on parole at the time, breaching conditions by taking illicit substances and committing further offences.
Outside court, Mr Alexander told reporters the sentence was "a pretty fair outcome," adding, "My client's pretty pleased with it. He'll just get on with his life and hopefully will do a lot better when he comes out." In March, the Local Court had heard McMillan wanted to apologise for his conduct, but no direct apology occurred during Tuesday's proceedings.
McMillan's friend has been charged over the incident, with a warrant out for his arrest. The Bondi massacre, referenced in the case, occurred on December 14 when accused terrorist Naveed Akram and his father Sajid opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 people—including a 10-year-old girl—and injuring 40 others, with Sajid Akram shot dead by police.
