Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Alone and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Confirm.
The two suspected attackers responsible for the lethal incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, as stated by Australian police.
Police further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Visit
Police assert the pair did not partake in any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local authorities point to they "rarely left" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," she stated, explaining that preliminary assessments show that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were members of a broader organization, or were acting on orders from others to carry out an incident," the police chief emphasized.
Yet, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She underscored that, given that the probe is ongoing, additional details may come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—allegedly opened fire on guests at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Immigration Information
In the days following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. Historically, Islamist groups have been known to be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
