Accused Bondi Beach Shooters Operated Solo and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The two suspected gunmen responsible for the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, as stated by national law enforcement.
Authorities also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Stay
Police indicate the duo did not receive any type of terrorist coaching or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine officials suggest they "rarely left" their hotel.
The incident—labeled as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"We are actively analyzing the evidence," the commissioner stated, explaining that early evaluations show that "the two men are suspected to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were part of a broader network, or were instructed by external parties to perpetrate an attack," Commissioner Barrett said.
Yet, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She emphasized that, as the investigation is ongoing, new evidence could come to light.
Motivation and Court Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it appears both accused gunmen were "influenced by ISIS" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—allegedly opened fire on attendees at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the days following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist fighters have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
