Eva Geller, 90, shot in the Bondi Beach terror attack, dies in Sydney hospital

A 90-year-old woman shot in last December's terror attack at Bondi Beach has died in a Sydney hospital, almost 12 months after the shooting.

Eva Geller died Thursday night, Nov. 5. Rabbi Aron Moss of the Nefesh Synagogue confirmed it Friday.

She was one of roughly 40 people wounded on Dec. 14, 2025, when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah event at the beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a ten-year-old girl. It was Australia's worst mass shooting in almost three decades.

A life after the shooting

Geller escaped the Holocaust as a child and eventually settled in Australia, where she raised a family. Moss described her as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was "strong and pretty healthy, right up until the Bondi attack."

Her injuries kept her cycling through hospitals. "Ever since being shot at the Bondi attack she'd been in and out of hospital, always wanting to come home," Moss said. Doctors told her she would never walk again, but she did.

She turned 90 earlier this year. She also attended synagogue over the High Holidays, which Moss called "an incredible show of strength."

A senior Jewish community source told The Guardian she had gone back into hospital recently with an infection and died after suffering a stroke. That account comes from one unnamed source. Neither police nor the family has confirmed a cause of death.

What police and officials have said

New South Wales police said they were aware of the death and are "awaiting further advice and are working with the office of the coroner." Police have not said whether the death could lead to additional charges.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Geller's "life was changed forever by an act of terror and antisemitism." He added: "We are wrapping our arms around Eva's family, friends and the Jewish community at this very sad time."

NSW Premier Chris Minns called the news "heartbreaking" and said the community faces "another painful loss."

Opposition leader Kellie Sloane, whose Vaucluse electorate includes Bondi Beach, called it "a heartbreaking reminder of the ongoing pain that remains for many people from last year's terror attack." She said support must continue for the Jewish community, first responders and all victims.

A family spokesperson asked for privacy. The funeral is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9.

The case against the surviving gunman

The gunmen were Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. Police shot and killed Sajid at the scene.

Naveed was arrested and has been charged with 78 offences. They include 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. Investigators allege the attack may have been "inspired by Isis," though he has not been convicted, and his case remains before the courts.

The attack set off sweeping gun law changes and a crackdown on hate speech in Australia. It also led to a royal commission into antisemitism, which has begun its work.

What comes next

The coroner's office is now involved, and its findings will determine how Geller's death is formally recorded. Prosecutors have not said whether it would alter the murder tally in Naveed Akram's case. That question is open until police and the coroner receive the medical advice they say they are waiting on.