Jack Hibbert, who had been on the job for just four months, was shot in the head and shoulder during the attack
A probationary police officer who was shot in the head during the deadly Bondi Beach attack has been discharged from hospital and is now recovering at home, his family has confirmed, according to BBC.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, 22, was critically injured while patrolling a
Hanukkah event when two gunmen opened fire, killing 15 people and wounding more than 40 others. Hibbert, who had been on the job for just four months, was shot in the head and shoulder during the attack.
Family calls recovery a ‘miracle’
In a statement, Hibbert’s family said he has lost vision in one eye but is making steady progress after weeks of hospital treatment.
“As a family, we couldn’t ask for anything more – having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle,” the family said.
They also thanked the public for their “overwhelming support” and praised hospital staff for their “exceptional” care and dedication throughout his recovery.
“While he is home, he is still recovering and will need space, support, and continued positive thoughts during this time,” the statement added.
Praised for bravery during attack
Despite his injuries, Hibbert continued helping festival attendees in the immediate aftermath of the shooting until he was physically unable to continue, his family previously said.
“Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited in hospital and given testaments to Jack’s bravery during the incident… They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger,” the family said.
Hibbert was one of two police officers injured in the attack. The second officer, Constable Scott Dyson, 25, remains in hospital recovering from his injuries, according to the latest police update.
Also read |
Bondi Beach shooting triggers top-to-bottom audit of Australian intelligence
Last week, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon visited Hibbert in hospital, describing him as a “positive young man”. Lanyon said the police force would rally around the young officer and find “appropriate duties for him” once he has recovered.
Attack declared terror incident
Police allege the suspected gunmen were inspired by Islamic State ideology and deliberately targeted the Jewish festival in what has been declared a terror attack.
Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one terrorism-related charge. A second gunman, identified as his father Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene.
Court documents released on Monday allege the pair
“meticulously” planned the attack for months and conducted reconnaissance at Bondi Beach two days before the shooting.
End of Article
