Sydney shooting victim Eva Geller dies after months of recovery

Eva Geller, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, died Thursday night in a Sydney hospital, ending a long recovery from a gunshot wound sustained during the Bondi Beach shooting.

Geller was born in Romania and lived in Australia until the December 14 attack. Two men, believed to be inspired by the Islamic State, opened fire on a crowd gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. The violence left 15 people dead, with ages ranging from 10 to 87, and injured approximately 40 others. One of the attackers, Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police at the scene.

Rabbi Aron Moss said Geller had been strong and healthy before the incident. He noted that doctors told her she would never walk again after the bullet struck her leg. However, she defied those odds and began walking with the aid of a cane. In recent weeks, she was hospitalized multiple times due to complications arising from surgery.

Moss described Geller as a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who maintained a positive attitude despite her difficult months in recovery. He stated that she was a beautiful and positive person who held onto her spirit even while facing physical challenges.

The surviving shooter, Naveed Akram, 25, is the son of the deceased attacker. He faces 15 counts of murder, 43 counts of attempted murder, and one count of committing a terrorist act. He has not yet entered a plea to the charges. It remains unclear if Geller's death will alter the specific counts brought against him.

Police stated they are awaiting a report from a state forensic investigator who will examine the circumstances of her death. Naveed Akram is scheduled to appear in court on February 24. Prosecutors plan to finalize the list of charges to be presented to the New South Wales Supreme Court for trial at that time.