Sydney, (Reuters): Australian police have confirmed that the father and son carrying out the deadly Bondi Beach shooting acted independently, dispelling fears of a wider terrorist network behind the attack. The December 14 shooting took place during a Jewish festival and left 15 people dead.
Authorities said that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, carried out a carefully planned attack targeting civilians at Bondi Beach. Investigators believe the pair trained with shotguns in rural parts of Australia and shared a video in October in which they denounced “Zionists” while displaying a Daesh flag.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there is no evidence the suspects were directed by external actors or linked to an organised terror cell. “These individuals have acted alone,” she told reporters. Prior to the attack, the Akrams travelled to Davao in the southern Philippines. CCTV footage shows they spent most of their time inside their budget hotel. Barrett said investigators are still examining the purpose of the trip, adding, “I am not suggesting they were there for tourism.”
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. His son Naveed remains in custody and has been charged with 15 counts of murder, along with several other serious offences. Authorities have requested that New Year’s Eve celebrations across Sydney pause at 11pm for a minute of silence to honour the victims. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced sweeping reforms in the wake of the attack, including stricter gun control measures, a nationwide firearms buyback scheme, and tougher penalties for hate speech. The buyback is the largest since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Albanese also ordered a review of police and intelligence operations to assess how future attacks can be prevented.
Security will be significantly increased during New Year’s celebrations in Sydney, with police units carrying high-powered firearms deployed across major gathering points. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said ensuring public safety remains the government’s highest priority.
