Married couple Boris and Sofia Gurman were named today as victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack. Startling dashcam footage caught by a passing motorist captured the moment the pair ““instinctively and selflessly” approached one of the gunmen and tried to disarm him before he opened fire.
The couple who were married for 34 years, rushed to confront terrorist Sajid Akram as he emerged from a silver car wielding a gun. Boris, 69, and Sofia, 61, are believed to be the first victims of the antisemitic mass shooting. Spotting the assailant as he prepared to launch his attack, Boris tackling him to the ground and wrestling his weapon from him, with Sofia by his side, the footage shows.
These were Boris and Sofia Gurman - murdered in the Sydney massacre. In the face of terror, Boris showed extraordinary courage and disarmed one of the jihadists, trying to save others.
— נועה מגיד | Noa magid (@NoaMagid) December 16, 2025
In life and in death, they were not separated🕯️ pic.twitter.com/Fhbw2BoNsf
The terrorist is believed to have retrieved a second weapon from the car, shooting both Gurmans. They appear to have spent their final moment embracing one another as they fell to the pavement.
In a statement their family said: “We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman.”
Describing the couple, they said: “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. Together, they lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect.”
It continued: “Boris and Sofia were devoted to their family and to each other. They were the heart of our family, and their absence has left an immeasurable void.”
Reflecting on the footage showing Boris , with Sofia by his side, “courageously attempting to disarm” the attacker, they said: “While nothing can lessen the pain of losing [them] 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”.
They added: “We are deeply grateful for the love, compassion and support that has been shown to our family during this unimaginable time.”
Boris and Sofia were due to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January, with Sofia preparing to celebrate her 62nd birthday on Wednesday (17 December).
Earlier today, six of Sofia’s work colleagues lay white roses as a tribute to their friend on Bondi Pavilion. One said that “seeing this video [the dashcam footage] made us realise just how brave she and her husband [were]”.
Originally from the Soviet Union, Boris and Sofia had lived in Australia for several decades.
The motorist whose camera inadvertently recorded the couple’s heroism shared the material on Chinese social media platform Rednote with a Mandarin-language caption stating: “Such civilian heroes shouldn’t be forgotten … I’m truly heartbroken.”
The Gurmans are among several unarmed bystanders being praised for their bravery. Shopkeeper Ahmed al-Ahmed has been widely commended for tackling and disarming Naveed Akram.
And another victim, grandfather Reuven Morrison, who “went down fighting”, was killed after hurling bricks at Akram.
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