3 more victims named in Bondi Beach attack that killed 15

A dear rabbi. A final solution subsister. A married couple up who reportedly died trying to block the violence. A 10-year-old girl who her family says was running to her father for safety.

Heartbreaking details continue to emerge about the 15 victims of a mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach during an event for the  Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday.

The identities of the victims haven't been formally revealed by authorities but some information has been provided by family and friends. By end of day Monday, nine victims were identified. Three more were named on Tuesday.

Some 40 people were taken to hospital, including two police and four children.

Police say the attack was carried out by a father and son, and their victims' ages ranged from 10 to 87. The 50-year-old alleged gunman was killed by police.

Here's what we know so far about the victims.

Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, died while trying to stop one of the gunmen, according to several media outlets.

The video shows Boris Gurman trying to disarm one of the men on the side of the road, with his wife nearby. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Boris tackled gunman Sajid Akram and wrestled the gun from him, then pointed it at Akram. But Akram charged at Boris and grabbed another rifle, according to the news outlet.

In a statement published in the media, the couple's family said they had "become aware of footage showing Boris, with Sofia by his side, courageously attempting to disarm an attacker in an effort to protect others."

"While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness."

The couple was about to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary, according to the Guardian.

Edith Brutnam was named in a memorial on Tuesday, and identified in several media reports as another victim.

A family statement published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) describes her as a "loved member of the Sydney Jewish community."

"Our beloved Edith was a woman of integrity who chose humanity, every day. She met prejudice with principle, and division with service. Our family mourns her deeply, but we ask that her life, not the senseless violence that took it, be what endures," the statement says.

A primary school student, 10-year-old Matilda died on Sunday night, her aunt confirmed on social media, according to local media.

Matilda's family gave the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) permission to use her first name but asked for their last name to be withheld.

She was a former student at Harmony Russian School of Sydney. She has been described as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to those around her," local media reported.

"Matilda was very friendly, she loves school, and has a lot of friends," Matilda's aunt told ABC.

A GoFundMe set up by Matilda's language teacher described her as "a bright and loving soul who taught us that true goodness is in the love and compassion we share."

At a vigil broadcast by 9 News Australia, Matilda's parents, Valentyna and Michael, spoke of their loss.

They came to Australia from Ukraine before Russia's invasion, according to the Guardian, and Michael said they named their firstborn "Matilda" because they "thought that Matilda was the most Australian name that could ever exist."

"So just remember — remember her name," he added.

Valentyna said that Matilda died running toward her father "to hide with him."

Eli Schlanger, 41, was assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi, which put on the event.

Chabad is a global Jewish organization whose mission is to foster Jewish identity and connection. Schlanger was British-born but had lived in Sydney for the past 18 years, and had recently become a father for the fifth time.

"Nothing was too big for him," said friend Alex Ryvchin, who is also co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

"He would drive out to regional parts of the state and sit with prisoners in our jails and listen to their stories. He would go to Waterloo and Redfern and to the public housing and sit with the elderly, he would listen to their stories and feed them and make sure they had meals and kosher products. He was the sort of person who illuminated our lives with kindness, his grace and generosity," said Ryvchin.

Schlanger's brother-in-law Rabbi Mendel Kastel said the family was "broken."

"They have fallen apart," Kastel told Reuters. He explained that Schlanger's wife's best friend's husband was also killed in the shootings.

"They were best friends through school and both lost their husbands here. The rabbi has a baby only a few months old. It's very, very difficult, it's too early to tell how they will be feeling, how it will land — they are in shock."

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A retired policeman and longtime rugby volunteer, Meagher was struck down while working as a freelance photographer at the event, Randwick Rugby Club said in a statement.

"'Marzo' as he was universally known, was a much-loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby," the club said.

"The tragic irony is that he spent so long in the dangerous front line as a Police Officer and was struck down in retirement while taking photos in his passion role," it said.

"For him it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time."

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French national Dan Elkayam was killed in the shootings.

Elkayam, who local media reported was in his late 20s and had gone down to celebrate at the festival, had been providing technical support to global media company NBC Universal in Sydney since last December, according to his LinkedIn page.

He played soccer with Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, where he was "an extremely talented and popular figure," the club said on social media.

According to a report by Chabad, another victim was identified as Reuven Morrison, described as "a member of the Chabad community who divided his time between Melbourne and Sydney."

On X, Chabad wrote that Morrison was originally from the U.S.S.R., and discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney.

"A successful businessman whose main goal was to give away his earnings to charities dear to his heart, notably Chabad of Bondi, which organized the event," Chabad wrote.

🕯️Blessed is the true Judge: Reuven Morrison<br>Victim of Sydney Hanukkah Massacre <br><br>Originally from the USSR, Reuven discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney. He was a longtime resident of Melbourne, where he and his wife moved to afford themselves a superior education for their… <a href="https://t.co/usR2q8zpnf">pic.twitter.com/usR2q8zpnf</a>

Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, attended the event with his wife, Larisa, his children and grandchildren, Chabad and local media reported.

The couple were both Holocaust survivors and had recounted their experiences to aged-care provider JewishCare, which referred to Alex’s harrowing memories of the "dreadful conditions in Siberia, where he, along with his mother and younger brother, struggled for survival."

The "scars of the past" did not deter them from seeking a brighter future in Australia, after immigrating from Ukraine, the provider wrote in its 2022/2023 annual report.

According to the Daily Mail, Kleytman died while trying to shield his wife.

"I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me," Larisa told the publication.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan served as secretary of the Sydney Jewish religious organization Beth Din, Chabad said.

A crowdfunding page for Levitan describes him as "a beloved community figure."

"His senseless murder has left an irreplaceable void. Yaakov was the cornerstone of his family: a devoted husband and father," notes the crowdfunding page.

Father and husband Tibor Weitzen has been identified as one of the victims after he was fatally wounded while shielding his wife from the gunfire, who survived the attack, the Daily Mail reported.

His granddaughter confirmed Weitzen's death with ABC, and described the 78-year-old as "full of life, joy and laughs." Weitzen migrated to Australia from Israel in 1988, according to his granddaughter.

"He only saw the best in people and will be dearly missed," she said.

A woman from Slovakia was also killed, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said on Monday.

"Already yesterday, I unequivocally condemned the brutal, deadly attack... Today, that grief has reached Slovakia as well — among the victims of this senseless, violent rampage was a Slovak woman, Marika," Pellegrini wrote on X.

Multiple media reports identified Marika Pogany, 82, as one of the victims. The Sydney Morning Herald described her as "a dedicated volunteer and a beloved member of Sydney’s Jewish community."

She was previously recognized for delivering more than 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels since the late 1990s, according to the publication.

Witness describes 'constant chaos' as he tried to help victims of Bondi Beach attack

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