UPDATE: A Visalia man reveals his harrowing experience just steps from the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration. Gilbert Cano, a special projects technician for the Visalia Unified School District, was in the area as the tragedy unfolded on December 14, 2023.
Cano, who traveled to Australia to attend an AC/DC concert, arrived in Sydney just hours after the attack. He checked into Hotel Bondi, located less than 100 yards from the site of the shooting, where 16 people lost their lives amid a festive gathering.
“At first, I thought it was maybe an isolated incident,” Cano told FOX26. “But then the numbers kept going up, and that’s when I realized how serious it was.” He was at the concert in Brisbane when the violence erupted, and he only grasped the full impact upon returning to his hotel.
Cano described the scene after he checked in, relaying chilling accounts from hotel staff about the chaos during the attack. “They told me about people diving for cover, running into kitchens and freezers. There was sheer panic,” he recalled.
Visibly shaken, Cano witnessed the aftermath from his hotel balcony, where he could see the memorial growing outside the Bondi Pavilion. Mourners gathered to pay their respects, laying flowers and candles for the victims. “It’s eerie,” Cano reflected. “Bondi Beach, usually bustling with tourists, is quiet now. Businesses and Christmas markets are closed.”
Cano shared a video of a prayer service held at Bondi Beach Pavilion, where hundreds united in grief for those killed in the attack. He also left flowers at the memorial with a heartfelt message from the community of Visalia and California’s Central Valley.
The mass shooting shocked the world, raising alarms about safety during public celebrations. Authorities are urging increased vigilance as investigations into the incident continue. Sydney remains in mourning as the local community grapples with the impact of the violence.
As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the motivations behind the shooting, which targeted a gathering of over 1,000 people celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.
Cano’s experience underscores the fragility of safety in public spaces, especially during significant cultural events. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for community solidarity and support in times of crisis.
For those wishing to help, donations to memorial funds for the victims and their families are being organized. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
