Bondi beach shooting victim Eva Geller, 90, dies in hospital almost a year after antisemitic attack

A woman who was shot during the Bondi beach terror attack has died in hospital almost 12 months after the massacre. Eva Geller, 90, had been in and out of hospital this year for treatment of injuries sustained during the attack on 14 December, a senior Jewish community source said on Friday. She had recently returned to hospital after developing an infection, where she died after having a stroke, the source said. Her funeral was scheduled to take place on Monday. A family spokesperson requested “privacy during this difficult time”. Rabbi Aron Moss from the Nefesh Synagogue in Sydney said Geller was “a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a positive person” who had escaped the Holocaust as a child with her family. “She came to Australia, started a new life, a beautiful family and was strong and pretty healthy, right up until the Bondi attack, where she was shot. “Everyone in the community really loved her, loved being in her presence,” he said. “It’s just devastating to think that she’s gone. She’ll be sorely missed, very fondly remembered, and we just pray that her family have a lot of strength and comfort at this time.” The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Friday he was saddened to hear of Geller’s death, saying “her life was changed forever by an act of terror and antisemitism”. “We are wrapping our arms around Eva’s family, friends and the Jewish community at this very sad time.” The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, said the news of Geller’s death was “heartbreaking”. “My thoughts are with Eva’s family and the Jewish community as they face another painful loss,” he said in a statement. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The NSW opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, whose Vaucluse electorate takes in Bondi beach, said the death was “a heartbreaking reminder of the ongoing pain that remains for many people from last year’s terror attack”. “We must continue to support the Jewish community, first responders and all victims.” In a statement on Friday afternoon, New South Wales police said they were aware of the death. A spokesperson said police were “awaiting further advice and are working with the office of the coroner”. Fifteen people died after Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, opened fire at the Hanukkah festival at Bondi beach on 14 December last year. Forty people were injured. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed has been charged with 78 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act that investigators allege may have been “inspired by Isis”. He remains before the courts.