Suspected Bondi Gunmen Operated Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The two alleged individuals responsible for the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, according to Australian authorities.
Investigators additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included landing in the main city Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Visit
Authorities have stated the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," the commissioner said, noting that initial assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were affiliated with a larger organization, or were acting on orders from others to execute an attack," the police chief emphasized.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett noted. She underscored that, given that the investigation is continuing, new evidence may come to light.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it appears both alleged gunmen were "influenced by Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with firearms—allegedly shot attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is expected to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Militant militants have reportedly be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
