Alleged Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The two alleged attackers who carried out the fatal incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly acted alone, per national police.
Police additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Trip
Authorities assert the duo did not receive any type of attack-related training or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine authorities indicate they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The shooting—described as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively analyzing the footage," she stated, explaining that preliminary reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these suspects were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to execute an attack," the police chief stated.
However, the duo were likewise not in the Philippines for tourism, the official added. She underscored that, as the probe is still active, additional details could emerge.
Ideology and Legal Charges
In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both accused gunmen were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly opened fire on attendees at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have been known to operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
