🔗 Share this article Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Police Confirm. National Federal Police assert there is no evidence the accused Bondi Beach gunmen operated as part of a broader network. The pair of accused gunmen responsible for the fatal incident at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, according to national law enforcement. Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November. No Evidence of Training During Visit Authorities indicate the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation. The incident—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism. "We are actively reviewing the evidence," the commissioner stated, adding that early reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have been lone actors." Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities. "There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by external parties to execute an attack," Commissioner Barrett emphasized. But, the men were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, she added. She stressed that, given that the investigation is continuing, new evidence could come to light. Ideology and Court Charges In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views. During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly targeted attendees at the Jewish festival event. Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April. Immigration Details In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport. The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney. Davao is a sprawling urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist groups have been known to operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
National Federal Police assert there is no evidence the accused Bondi Beach gunmen operated as part of a broader network. The pair of accused gunmen responsible for the fatal incident at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, according to national law enforcement. Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November. No Evidence of Training During Visit Authorities indicate the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation. The incident—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism. "We are actively reviewing the evidence," the commissioner stated, adding that early reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have been lone actors." Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities. "There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by external parties to execute an attack," Commissioner Barrett emphasized. But, the men were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, she added. She stressed that, given that the investigation is continuing, new evidence could come to light. Ideology and Court Charges In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views. During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly targeted attendees at the Jewish festival event. Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April. Immigration Details In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport. The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney. Davao is a sprawling urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist groups have been known to operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.