Alleged Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Alone and Received No Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators Say.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the lethal shooting at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, as stated by national authorities.
Authorities additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Investigators indicate the individuals did not undergo any type of attack-related training or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine authorities point to they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—described as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are currently analyzing the material," the commissioner said, noting that early assessments show that "these individuals are believed to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett informed reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were members of a broader organization, or were instructed by others to carry out an attack," the police chief said.
However, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, the official noted. She stressed that, as the probe is ongoing, additional details might surface.
Motivation and Legal Charges
Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged attackers were "inspired by Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly targeted guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the wake following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. The region is known because, Militant fighters have been known to be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
