Alleged Bondi Shooters Acted Solo and Did Not Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, according to Australian police.
Authorities further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Stay
Authorities assert the pair did not receive any form of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from local officials suggest they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively examining the evidence," she said, adding that early assessments suggest that "the two men are alleged to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett informed reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these suspects were members of a broader network, or were acting on orders from external parties to carry out an attack," the police chief stated.
However, the men were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official noted. She emphasized that, as the investigation is ongoing, fresh information could come to light.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused attackers were "motivated by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—are accused of having shot participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Information
In the wake following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian 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 large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Islamist groups have reportedly operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
