Suspected Bondi Beach Shooters Operated Alone and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Confirm.
The pair of accused gunmen responsible for the fatal attack at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, as stated by Australian police.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Police indicate the duo did not receive any type of terrorist instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local authorities suggest they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively examining the footage," she said, adding that early evaluations suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from others to carry out an act of violence," she said.
Yet, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she clarified. She emphasized that, given that the probe is ongoing, fresh information could come to light.
Motivation and Court Charges
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly opened fire on attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
