Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Say.
The two suspected gunmen responsible for the lethal attack at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, per Australian police.
Police further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the capital Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Investigators indicate the duo did not receive any type of attack-related training or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine authorities indicate they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a act of terrorism.
"We are currently reviewing the material," she said, adding that preliminary evaluations indicate that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed reporters on Tuesday that security camera video showing the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were members of a wider terrorist cell, or were directed by external parties to carry out an attack," Commissioner Barrett emphasized.
Yet, the men were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she noted. She stressed that, given that the probe is ongoing, additional details might surface.
Motivation and Legal Charges
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it seems both accused gunmen were "influenced by Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—allegedly opened fire on participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the days following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had stated the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Islamist groups have been known to be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
