Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Say.
The two alleged gunmen responsible for the lethal incident at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, reportedly acted alone, per Australian police.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Investigators have stated the pair did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from local officials point to they "rarely left" their hotel.
The incident—labeled as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently examining the material," she said, adding that preliminary evaluations show that "these individuals are believed to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that security camera video showing the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were part of a wider terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from others to execute an attack," Commissioner Barrett said.
However, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she noted. She underscored that, given that the investigation is ongoing, new evidence could emerge.
Motivation and Legal Charges
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it seems both accused gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the days following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The two had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. The region is known because, Islamist militants have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
