Accused Bondi Gunmen Acted Alone and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The two suspected attackers who carried out the fatal attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, per Australian authorities.
Authorities also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Stay
Investigators have stated the individuals did not receive any type of attack-related training or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from Philippine officials indicate they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The shooting—described as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," she said, adding that preliminary assessments suggest that "these individuals are alleged to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were affiliated with a wider organization, or were acting on orders from external parties to carry out an incident," the police chief emphasized.
Yet, the men were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She underscored that, given that the inquiry is continuing, new evidence might come to light.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—are accused of having opened fire on attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Militant fighters have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.