Hero couple killed trying to stop gunman in Bundy attack

Dramatic dashcam footage shows a couple killed in a Bondi Beach shooting trying to stop one of their attackers by grabbing his gun.

Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, bravely stepped in and tried to protect others before being shot dead, their family said in a statement.

Video of the incident shows the retired Mr Gurman grappling with one of the alleged gunmen and wresting the weapon from him before both men fell to the road.

Mr Gurman then stood up and appeared to shoot the suspected attacker. The attacker was then believed to have had another gun, which he used to kill them.

“While nothing can ease the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we are incredibly proud of their bravery and selflessness,” the family said.

“This sums up who Boris and Sofia are – they instinctively and selflessly try to help others.”

The Gurmans, who were Jewish, were the first two people killed in Sunday’s attack, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

At least 15 people were confirmed dead in the shootings, which took place during events marking the first day of Hanukkah.

The family said in a statement that the couple had been married for 34 years.

“We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless passing of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman.

“Boris was a retired mechanic known for his generosity, quiet strength and willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need.

“Sofia worked at Australia Post and was well-liked by her colleagues and the community.

“Bondi locals lived honest, hard-working lives together and treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect. Boris and Sophia were devoted to their family and to each other. They were the heart of our family and their absence leaves an immeasurable void.”

Witnesses described Mr Gurman as a “hero”.

The woman with the dashcam footage told Reuters that Mr Gurman “rather than running away, he ran straight towards danger, tried with all his strength to get the gun away and fought to the death”.

“I saw on camera that this old man was finally shot and collapsed. That moment broke my heart,” she said.

Another person who claimed to have witnessed the incident told Nine News: “He’s a hero. He tried, he tried. We need to let his family know.”

“Everyone needs to know what he tried because it was right to begin with. He put himself in danger. The bullets were flying and he put himself in danger.”

Police characterized the attack as a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community.

this other victims were killed They include a 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, a retired police officer and a Holocaust survivor.

The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.

Another 22 people remain in hospital, nine of whom are in critical condition.

Another bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was also hailed as a “hero” after wresting a gun from one of the attackers. He was shot multiple times and later underwent surgery for his wounds.

Earlier this week, his father told BBC Arabic His son “saw the victims, the blood, the women and children lying in the street and took action”.

“Ahmed is driven by his emotions, his conscience and his humanity,” he said.