In a quiet suburb of Bonnyrigg, about 30 miles west of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, neighbors recounted their experiences with the family home linked to the suspects of a recent attack. On December 10, 2023, the residence became the center of attention following a shooting incident that shocked the local community.
Daily Life Disrupted
On Tuesday morning, the only signs of life at the suspects’ home included a white Toyota Prius parked in the driveway and a few scattered boots near a welcome mat. A masked individual briefly appeared to collect a food delivery, only to quickly retreat inside. Outside, the neighborhood remained relatively calm, with teenagers biking past and a few neighbors strolling by.
A postal worker, who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned having interacted with the family but declined to provide further comments to the media. Meanwhile, a group of reporters gathered nearby, seeking to capture any developments related to the ongoing investigation.
In a disturbing incident earlier that day, a delivery driver arrived with a $42 half leg of ham, which was intended as a racial insult towards a Muslim family. The ham, packaged in a bag adorned with Christmas gingerbread men, was left on the footpath outside the residence, while the family did not respond to knocks at the door.
A Community’s Perspective
Glenn Nelson, a 65-year-old resident who has lived in Bonnyrigg for nearly four decades, characterized the neighborhood as peaceful and described his impressions of the suspects as lacking any notable disturbances. “No dramas,” he stated, reflecting on his limited interactions with the family. He recalled occasionally seeing a father and son outside but had never engaged in conversation with them.
Following the shooting, which occurred on a Sunday night, authorities cordoned off the area with multiple police vehicles. Nelson recounted that after midnight, law enforcement instructed the family to exit the house with their hands raised. He observed three individuals—two women and a man—leave the residence.
Residents noted that the family had moved into the community about a year ago and largely kept to themselves. As the investigation continues, Bonnyrigg remains a diverse, working-class suburb, grappling with the aftermath of the recent events that have drawn significant media attention.
Reporting by Max Kim contributed to this article.
