A courageous 14-year-old girl found herself in the midst of chaos at Bondi Beach, where she heroically shielded two toddlers from a barrage of gunfire, sustaining a bullet wound to her thigh in the process.

The teenager, whose name remains confidential due to legal considerations, acted instinctively when the gunfire erupted, allegedly at the hands of a father and son duo, during the violent episode on Sunday.

According to Dovid Leider, a family friend who spoke with 9News, “She responded immediately upon hearing a mother’s cries for help after being shot. Without hesitation, she moved to protect the toddlers and ended up taking a bullet herself.”

Currently, the young girl is recovering in the hospital, her bravery leaving a lasting impression.

Leider, who traveled all the way from Los Angeles to Sydney to offer his support, described her as someone who “always puts others’ needs before her own.” Her selfless actions have resonated deeply with all who hear her story.

Sydneysiders returned to Bondi Beach today as police finally lifted the crime scene tape.

Dozens of people walked and examined Archer Park and the footbridge that the alleged gunmen used, and swimmers returned to the water.

An elderly couple, who were captured on video ducking behind cans just metres away from one of the gunmen, returned to the site.

“When I’m standing here today, and I see just how close we were to that footbridge, I’m just shocked,” Benyomin Simons said. 

They managed to stay out of sight and found an empty van to hide inside.

“My wife saw this van, and the door was wide open, with nobody in it and went into this camper van and closed the door,” Simons said.

Survivor Arsen Ostrovsky was swathed in bloodied bandages after being shot on Sunday and today said it was a “miracle” he survived.

“The bullet grazed my head, you could see the bone,” he said.

More people have been discharged from hospitals across Sydney, including all the children who were injured.

Sixteen people remained in hospital as of 4pm today, five in critical condition and 11 who are stable.