SYDNEY – Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, the rookie police officer critically wounded during the Bondi Beach terror attack, has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery at home. The 22-year-old officer, merely four months into his service, was providing security at a Hanukkah celebration when two assailants opened fire in an assault that claimed 15 lives and left over 40 injured.
Hibbert sustained severe injuries from gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder during the November incident. While medical complications have resulted in permanent vision loss in one eye, his family expressed profound gratitude for his survival and release in time for Christmas celebrations, describing the homecoming as ‘nothing short of miraculous.’
In an official statement, Hibbert’s relatives extended their appreciation for the overwhelming public support and commended healthcare professionals for their exceptional dedication. They emphasized that despite his discharge, the young constable requires continued space and positive encouragement throughout his rehabilitation journey.
Eyewitness accounts from fellow officers present during the atrocity reveal Hibbert’s extraordinary bravery, with multiple colleagues testifying that he continued assisting festival attendees despite his critical injuries. ‘Rather than retreating from danger, Jack advanced toward those in need until his physical capabilities were exhausted,’ the family statement detailed.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who visited Hibbert during his hospitalization, characterized the probationary officer as an exceptionally positive individual. The police force has committed to providing comprehensive support and identifying suitable duties upon Hibbert’s eventual return to service.
The second injured officer, Constable Scott Dyson (25), remains hospitalized according to the latest police assessment. Court documents unsealed this week allege the attackers – 24-year-old Naveed Akram (now facing 59 charges including murder and terrorism offenses) and his father Sajid Akram (fatally shot by responders) – conducted months of meticulous planning, including a reconnaissance visit to Bondi Beach two days prior to the assault. Security authorities have classified the violence as an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.