Hero Cop Who Stopped Bondi Beach Attacker With ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime Move’ Is Identified

The Australian police officer believed to have stopped the Bondi Beach attackers with what experts are calling a “once-in-a-lifetime s*ot,” has now been identified.

Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza, a 16-year police veteran, was filmed hiding behind a tree before opening fire with a handgun at two rifle-armed suspects from roughly 130 feet away. He was wearing standard detective attire and no body armor.

The revelation has added a human face to one of the most pivotal moments in Sunday’s antisemitic attack, which took the lives of 15 people.

His shots are believed to have downed 50-year-old Sajid Akram and seriously injured Akram’s 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, just moments later.

The cop responsible for stopping the gunmen behind the Bondi Beach Attack has been identified

Man in a white shirt and black pants performing a defensive move near a tree, Bondi Beach attacker incident.

Image credits: beauisaviking/X

Footage of the confrontation shows Barraza using a tree for cover as gunfire erupts around him, before he raises his handgun and fires toward the suspects. 

Law enforcement sources told the Daily Telegraph that the precision required for such a maneuver, under that level of stress, is almost unheard of.

“The second s*ot has astounded firearms experts,” one source said. “They actually can’t believe it.”

Police officer at Bondi Beach parking area captured from above, involved in a once-in-lifetime move stopping attacker.

Image credits: Times of India

Police are still conducting ballistic analysis to formally confirm whether Barraza’s bullets were the ones that neutralized the attackers. Even so, his actions have already been widely credited with stopping further loss of life.

Man wearing dark shirt and light pants standing near a pole and walking on a bridge, related to Bondi Beach attacker hero cop.

Image credits: hctelfih/X

The two suspects were armed with rifles and had already taken the lives of 15 people in what police described as a targeted antisemitic attack. Investigators later discovered the culprits’ vehicle contained improvised explosive devices and homemade ISIS flags.

As Australians learned more about the detective behind the shots, attention turned to Barraza’s background

Comment praising hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with a once-in-a-lifetime move on social media post.

Comment praising the hero who stopped the Bondi Beach attacker with a once-in-a-lifetime move.

He previously appeared on the Australian reality TV series The Recruits, which follows young officers at the start of their careers.

When asked on the show why he wanted to join the police force, Barraza answered without hesitation: “Because I hate crime.”

Man outdoors near trees and a blue sky, identified as the hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with a once-in-a-lifetime move

Image credits: Recruits

Sources told The Telegraph that even elite shooters would struggle to land accurate handgun shots at that distance, particularly against moving targets while under active fire.

“Hitting a steel plate at 130 feet with a pistol is a tough s*ot. Hitting a target that’s firing at people and moving is even more impressive,” a netizen wrote.

Another commenter added that doing so without body armor and with only minimal cover “takes dedication to others above all.”

Naveed Akram, the only one of the pair of shooters who survived, was charged with 15 counts of homicide

Man identified as hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker performing exercise outdoors in casual clothing.

Image credits: Recruits

Naveed Akram, who survived the shooting, was rushed to hospital under police guard and later charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of homicide and one count of committing a terr*rist act.

Comment by Glenda Hayes praising brave people risking safety to stop Bondi Beach attacker with once-in-a-lifetime move.

Comment reading Real life hero on a social media post, related to hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker.

Public praise has poured in not only for Barraza, but also for Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the unarmed civilian who earlier confronted one of the gunmen and wrestled away his firearm, as well as for other bystanders who attempted to intervene.

Man identified as hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker, lying in hospital bed with bandaged arm and IV in hand.

Image credits: michaldivon/X

“None of them had any reason to try and stop the carnage,” a reader said. “But they did it anyway.”

Memorial at Bondi Pavilion with crowds honoring hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with a once-in-a-lifetime move.

Image credits: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

As Bored Panda previously reported, Al-Ahmed is currently fighting life-altering injuries, and could potentially lose his arm.

Two police officers walking near Bondi Beach with beachgoers and residential buildings in the background on a sunny day

Image credits: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

“He’s having multiple surgeries, he’s got five g*nsh*t wounds. It’s a serious injury, far more serious than has been reported,” Issa told The Australian. 

“At this stage, he says he has no feeling in his arm. I’m no medical doctor, but he said to me that it seems like one of the bullets may have hit a nerve.”

“This guy is very good!” Netizens were impressed by the detective’s accuracy

Comment by Noah Miller discussing a tactical move called firing and engaging the enemy from a covered position.

Comment on social media post about Bondi Beach attacker hero cop, praising the once-in-a-lifetime move and quick response.

Comment by Mark Wilson praising hero who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with a once-in-a-lifetime move on a social media post.

Comment by Michael Webster agreeing with using training, cover, concealment, and steady rest in police tactics discussion.

Comment reading God Bless him with heart and Australian flag emojis on a social media post about the hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker.

Person named Yvonne Prempeh commenting Community at its best on social media post about Bondi Beach attacker incident.

Comment on social media post praising a hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with a once-in-a-lifetime move.

Comment from Donnie Cameron thanking a hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with once-in-a-lifetime move.

Comment saying thank God for hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker with once-in-a-lifetime move.

Comment by Laura Flaherty saying Let's give him a Raise, related to hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker discussion.

Screenshot of Gallant Dill’s social media comment about combat and practice range, mentioning Bondi Beach attacker hero.

Comment from Chris Janopolis discussing tactical advice on gun fights, emphasizing distance and engagement strategies.

Comment by John J. Buckley discussing the difficulty of staying calm while under fire in a social media post.

Comment by Sean Wigmore describing the intense situation involving the hero cop who stopped Bondi Beach attacker.

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