Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Independently and Received No Preparation in the Philippines, Investigators Confirm.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, according to national authorities.
Investigators additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Visit
Investigators indicate the duo did not receive any type of attack-related coaching or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine officials indicate they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The shooting—described as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the material," she stated, explaining that early evaluations suggest that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by external parties to execute an act of violence," she emphasized.
However, the men were also not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She underscored that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details might emerge.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot guests at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. It is noted that, Militant fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.