AUSTRALIA – A married couple have been identified as the heroes who died side-by-side while trying to stop one of the Bondi Beach terrorists, days before one of their birthdays.
Boris Gurman (69) and his wife Sofia (61) were tragically gunned down when they bravely confronted Sajid Akram (50) and prevented him from opening fire at a Jewish event on Sunday.
A family friend told the Daily Mail the couple’s son, who lives overseas, had been in the country for the past few weeks visiting his parents. The friend said Gurman was due to celebrate her 62nd birthday on Wednesday.
The couple were also set to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January. Viral footage emerged on Tuesday showing the husband ripping away Sajid’s weapon moments after he and his son Naveed (24) exited their IS-flagged car on Campbell Parade.
The couple then spent a few minutes battling the older shooter before he was able to grab a second firearm, and they were tragically gunned down on the sidewalk next to the vehicle.
Heartbreaking pictures of the crime scene circulating in the aftermath of the massacre showed Sofia died while laying over her husband.
The father and son then allegedly ran to a nearby a footbridge and began firing ammunition into a crowd celebrating Hanukkah on the beach.
It is understood that the Gurmans are Russian Jews from the Soviet Union, who have lived in Australia for decades.
‘‘Boris was a retired mechanic, known for his generosity, quiet strength and willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need. Sofia worked at Australia Post and was deeply loved by her colleagues and community,’’ The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said.
‘‘Together, they lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect… We feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness. This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were – people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others.’’
15 innocent people were killed during Australia’s second-worst mass shooting on Sunday, which also left 40 others injured.
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